so, I read the post a stardock employee made about DRM (https://forums.sinsofasolarempire.com/post.aspx?postid=303512).

he makes valid points, but the problem is that Install/activation limits in games are far worse than CD checks. I know there are going to be lots of fanboys that will blindly  attack me for this post, and defend Stardock till the day they die, but seriously try and hear me out here.

I do alot of audio production work. it started out as a hobby, and it's now a minor source of my income. the people who make the tools the audio industry use LOVE DRM. IK multimedia for example, puts a 5 install limit on their products. what happens when u hit that 5 limit? they will give you more activations of course!...for the low price of 59.99! what a rip off! being charged more, to use products I paid quite alot of money for (in my case, over $150 from them). even worse, Ableton has been known to deny more activations...on software that costs over $500!!! thats INSANE!

so when I saw videogames going this route, I started to get a bit pissed off. I'd rather have a disk in my drive to play a game, than be forced to deal with a support tech who couldn't care less that there are other people out there, that just want it to "work". I think it's completely hypocritical of Stardock to talk about how DRM doesnt work, then instate an install/activation limit!

from their support faqs on activation:

Activation limits

There are reasonable limits on how often you can activate a given product to help deter piracy.......

now, I've been a fan of Sins for a while now, and I just migrated from the old impulse system today. I've had 3 way lan parties that have lasted long periods of time and it was great fun. it really bothers me that stardock is going to do this, because they have  just lost a customer. while I'll continue playing the sins I already have, I will NOT be buying any further ones, simply because they'd rather restrict me on installing the games.  

I have 4 computers. 2 desktops, 2 laptops. 1 desktop is out of commisison, 1 laptop is for my general use, and 1 laptop is for my college work. if i wanted to install sins on all 4 machines, I'm guessing I'd be blocked from doing that. as well, my systems get nuked at least once a year (not always planned), and I don't always have a backup to restore. M$ has made it increasingly hard to use clonezilla on their operating systems, so now my laptop won't even back up to an external, let alone restore! 

again, I DON'T WANT to deal with tech support to reinstall software i paid for. I'm not a pirate, and I'll not be treated like one.

all the best,

-a former stardock customer.