Eh, seems like Ubisoft doesn't want my business anymore. Not really a problem as far as I'm concerned, there are far more games released than I have time to play, and plenty of other companies who are willing to offer me what I actually want in exchange for my money.

This is literally THE STUPIDEST move I have seen a game publisher make in a while. And that is saying something. I mean, WHAT THE FUCK ARE THEY THINKING?!?!

They must smoke some good drugs.

Well if you ever find out what they're called, tell them I want some.

Perhaps it's partially an attempt to make people more willing to accept the current DRM methods. By creating something so ridiculous they can always fall back on the original DRM and hope people just say "well, at least it doesn't require an Ubi account".

Steam doesn't require you to log on to play: if you don't have an Internet connection and were logged in the last time you started Steam, then it will play in offline mode. I don't know how long it will let you play offline, but last time I was without an internet connection for a couple of weeks I was able to play my Steam games.
So while Steam is not as convenient as being DRM-free, it's much better than what these people are proposing. It's also worth noting that a number of games I own on Steam do appear to be DRM-free, since they'll happily run without Steam running.

You win this time quote you win this time!
Where did i put my orb of scrying.
O right them dam paladins destroyed that last week,when they attacked my lair.
When i find out what this drug is that there on, there will be a party.
Where we can all get high!

Maybe for you: for me, it just works.
The only issue I've had is that it can confuse the 'Steam cloud' game saves if you log in from another computer before you go back online with the one that's been offline. But that's because the 'Steam cloud' implementation kind of sucks.

It works until it doesn't work. Read what the link contains.

I supported Ubisoft by buying their DRM free releases (including two off GOG that I'd already bought previously), but it really frustrates me when I see business decisions like this.
I'm done with Ubisoft until I see them change their ways (which has happened; I'm no longer done with EA, even though I passed on several of their titles when they went through their draconian DRM phase).
As a bright side, at least several years down the road GOG may find itself with greater sales numbers thanks to Ubisoft's current decision; I'll pencil myself in for the GOG version of Assassin's Creed II in 2015.

This is the most retarded DRM scheme in the history of retarded DRM schemes. Code wheels and activation limits have got nothing on this. Ubisoft, you're winner!
If I recall correctly the newest free version of Trackmania has Starforce removed (it's called Trackmania Nations United Forever, or something). This is probably the version on Steam.

I didn't see anything there that would be an unexpected problem: clearly the game won't run if it's not installed or is only partially updated, or if you're not logged on. What exactly do you expect it to do if you've only downloaded 90% of the game?
As I said, I've never had a problem with it, other than the time when Valve's servers all went down and it wouldn't go offline because the PC still had a network connection but there was nothing for it to talk to. I can't vouch for anyone else.

Bah..you're misreading. Oh well. You'll find out someday....

Same here the a good amount of my christmas bought games were "drm free" (excluding securom disc checks, I don't mind a simple disc check) ubisoft games that had activation limits and online activation that got patched out. Alot of the games also had the cd check patched out as well.
Yea your right its been starforce free for at least 6 months if not longer.