Bought my copy over the counter. Looks to be a British-localized one as the manual's support address is Glasgow. Didn't fool steam as it knows my IP is Japan.

Tried to Install. Steam tells me the game is 'not released yet' and won't even install until released. It didn't say when (but we've all heard the date Dec 8). It did offer to pre-load so the game would be 'ready to play' as soon as it is released. I doubt that as the steam pre-load was much shorter than any game installation. I'd imagine it will still have to go through a full install and Christ alone knows what other hurdles and hoops to get it running.

Any crystal balls here can tell me what they think will happen come Dec 8? I find it truly hard to believe I'll be installing and playing so easily. Too many middle-men these days. In the old days I bought games from EB and Amazon, got it in the mail, stuck in a disc, and they ran. Even in Japan.

This DRM paranoia only affects the little guy - end users who don't get to enjoy the product they bought on the day they paid for it. Pirates are savvy enough to find their way around this garbage - I am not. So congratulations gamesas: while scumbags out there are already enjoying ripped Skyrim copies they didn't pay for, I your loyal customer since 1997, can't even play the game I bought in the store today legally.

That's my rant over. Now anyone got a shortcut?