There was some good, independent maps in the DLC, some of it was free. I have no idea if they're included already in the GOTY.
Yes, apparently you do. GfWL used to not require this (or perhaps it was up to the dev/publisher). I know I've promptly forgotten whatever online crap I did way back when UT3 came out and it never bothered me again (though that POS game sure did). That wasn't GfWL, mind you.

If it's a principal thing against activation, then you shouldn't buy it. If you don't care about activation on principal, well, it's no worse than any other activation scheme I'm guessing. You don't have to sign on to play each time, if you don't give a crap about achievements or anything.

Well, it's just that I think I have enough accounts spread around, and don't want to make another one. And right now, this is the only game I'm interested in that would require me to do it.

Well, that's not enough reasons, so I will leave it for later. Thanks guys!

If you use any of Microsoft's services, you won't need to make another account. Just log in with your Windows Live account (if you have one).

Well, I do have one, but I'm not even sure if I want it to be the definitive one. All I use it for is Messenger anyway.

You can create an offline GFWL account without ever being online and you can transfer save game between computers as long as you don't forget to copy your offline account "key".

The whole Windows Live is growing... A lot. You get the online office apps, online storage, syncing between your PC, Live account, and Widows Phone, it also incorporates all your xbox stuff, gfwl stuff, and more...

Plus, from what I've seen, Windows 8 will also be a lot Live based (to which I applaud).

My point was, if you ever decide to use Windows Live extensively, make sure you create an account that you'll take care of (sort of).

Well, google is fine for most of those for now. But of course, I will wait and see. If it really becomes an advantage to have an account in the future, I will certainly decide on one.

But I don't really see this integration as being something good. It's like games that require Steamworks (well, or GFWL). They just take already big services and help them become monopolies.

Not to mention the hassle that will be should you ever loose one of those accounts.

It depends on what you use, I guess. Personally, Windows Live is the best thing since sliced bread. :p

It's more like Warcraft or Age of Empires but they've implimented some complexities like traveling merchants and spies. You can also make pacts and deals with opponents. As well you can seize carts full of goods and take them back to your base.

One thing I think is really cool is that you can build training posts to assign your built up army to level up on instead of just standing around at your base.

I said usually sine a lot of the times it is a serial activation, but yes there are some that use a custom activation. People can also ask if they want to be sure I guess.

Bought Avencast and Hazen from this first week - Definitely think I got my $5.00 worth.

Hazen seem meaty enough even though it never continued on?

Bought Mirrors Edge, tried to install it and I get a message that says something like "gamemov.cab corrupt" and I can't finish installing.

Bought Amnesia, tried to install it, and I got a message saying "the source file is corrupted" and couldn't install that either.

This is pretty irritating.

Downloading Company of Heroes right now to see what will happen. Not expectiong much good luck

Try redownloading the games, and also make sure to disable any protection software.