For RAGE, we’ll be using Steamworks for activation. You’ll simply need to be online once (per PC you’re using) to activate the game. Once the game is activated via Steamworks, you can take Steam into offline mode.

I can confirm that Skyrim will be using Steamworks. We'll have more details soon.

https://twitter.com/#%21/dishonored/status/200938333340319744: "To confirm, Dishonored on PC utilizes Steamworks."

What is Steam and SteamWorks?
Steam is a Digital Distribution (DD) and Digital Rights Management (DRM) platform used to distribute, update and play games online. Its main purpose is to allow players to buy games online and download them directly to their PCs with the Steam client, but it's also used by games distributed on physical media, such as DVD discs. Games that use Steamworks, which includes Steam-activated physical DVD discs, are activated online using the Steam client, and can't be launched without the Steam client running alongside the game. Thus the Steam client is required for both physical DVD and digital installations; it will be installed automatically for DVD installations from the disc, and there is no difference in the resulting install whether Skyrim is purchased online through Steam or on physical DVD. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_%28software%29 for more information.

Do I need Steam to run Skyrim on PC?
Yes. Skyrim is strictly tied to Steam for both physical retail DVD discs and online digital-only purchases. To play Skyrim, you launch the Steam client and then launch Skyrim from the Steam library, leaving the Steam client running in the background. Directly launching the Skyrim executable found in the Steam folder will also launch the Steam client, as Steam is hooked into the Skyrim executable.

Can I just run Skyrim without Steam running in the background?
No. The Steam client must be running to play Skyrim, and discussion on circumventing Steam by running Skyrim by any other means will not be allowed within these forums.

Do I need to be connected to the internet to activate Skyrim?
Yes. There is no such thing as offline activation.

Do I need to be connected to the internet to play Skyrim?
No. Steam is able to run in offline mode, meaning that you need to get online only once to activate Skyrim and install any required updates/patches, and don't need to be connected to the internet to play it. See https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=3160-AGCB-2555 for the official guide, and the last entry in this FAQ for more detailed instructions on how to set the Steam client to offline mode so that it can stay offline for a long time. The Steam client is often updated, and the offline mode is known to be still a little buggy nowadays, hence it is advisable follow the latter instructions to set the client in permanent offline mode once you have activated Skyrim if you need extended offline time, and regardless of any further Steam client updates.

I have preordered my physical DVD copy of Skyrim; how am I supposed to install it? Do I need to install the Steam client first?
No. What you're actually installing when you completely install Skyrim from the DVD is the Steam client itself (as long as you haven't installed Steam in your system yet), which will then automatically copy the required game files from the DVD to your hard drive. You'll be asked to enter your Steam account name and password to log onto Steam authentication servers, then setup will start. If you don't have a Steam account you'll be asked to register one before installing Skyrim. Note that some of the files may be pulled from the internet through the Steam client to complete the installation, rather than all being on the DVD.

I want to order the Collector's Edition of Skyrim, but I don't have an optical/DVD drive. Will I still be able to install it when it arrives?
Yes, as long as you have a broadband internet connection. You can activate the DVD key of any SteamWorks game, including Skyrim, in your Steam client and download and install it over the internet without ever needing the DVD at all.

I have purchased a copy of Skyrim through Direct2Drive, GamersGate or some other digital download portal, not a physical DVD version. Won't that be different from the Steam version? Will they be incompatible for modding?
No. There will be no difference nor incompatibility. Skyrim is exclusively on the Steam platform. These sites are selling Steam activation codes for Skyrim, similar to the SteamWorks DVD key. When you buy a code, you will activate it in your Steam client, which will then download and install Skyrim, just as if it was bought through Steam. So, there will be no difference from a version bought directly through Steam itself.

Where am I supposed to install Skyrim?
Any Steam game is always installed into the main Steam folder without prompting for install location. However, you may choose where to install the Steam client itself, which will determine the install location.

What if an update/patch comes out? May I just download the patch and install it, with the Steam client still set in offline mode?
No. There will be no manual updates or patches available for download anywhere; the only way to update Skyrim is to get online and let the Steam client download the updates for you. Then you will able to get back offline and play Skyrim as usual.

I'm on a slow/dial-up internet connection. Can I still activate Skyrim when I install from physical DVD disc? Will I be able to download required updates/patches?
Possibly. You will be able to activate Skyrim on a slow or dial-up connection. Steam activation data files are usually in the order of a few megabytes, so should only take a few minutes to download. However, at activation time it is required to install any required updates/patches.

Will I be able to play Skyrim as soon as it releases?
Yes. There will be more details on preloading Skyrim on Steam closer to release.

I have a question or concern about Steam, or DRM in general, that's not answered here.
Then you're encouraged to refer to the Unofficial Steam/DRM Discussion found in the http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/forum/18-community-discussion/ forum or visit the http://store.steampowered.com/forums/.

Thanks to dAB for helping put together this FAQ

10. P2P Content/Bittorrents/Cracks/Criminal discussion is not permitted within the forums.

Discussing or linking to P2P content within this forum is prohibited. Given the nature of these resources and their use with piracy, under no circumstances can they be linked to within our forums. Violations of these rules will result in a warning or account suspension.

Bittorrent links and discussion are prohibited within our forums, with exception to use of bittorrent links relating to modded content (from clean torrents). Violations relating to bittorrent content will result in a warning/suspension. Similarly, we do not allow discussion methods of circumventing the Steam check or of Cracks that violate the terms of a game's EULA. Open admission to pirating copyrighted materials will result in an account ban.

Discussion of emulators/ emulation is also prohibited on this forum.

Similarly, posts admitting to drug use, violence, or other illegal activities are not tolerated within the forums. This includes indicating knowledge of or being witness to unreported illegal activities. Such knowledge should be reported to the authorities not posted on a forum.

Never had a problem in my life with DRM. If it stops pirates I say pile it on. Every device I own is connected to the internet 24/7 so I've never had a problem having to be connected to play. If a problem would arise I'd simply find something else to do until it was fixed.

Never had a problem in my life with DRM. If it stops pirates I say pile it on. Every device I own is connected to the internet 24/7 so I've never had a problem having to be connected to play. If a problem would arise I'd simply find something else to do until it was fixed.

let's not forget not everyone has 24/7 internet, high-speed access or even home access, & yes I'm talking gamers here

Never had a problem in my life with DRM. If it stops pirates I say pile it on.

The problem is that it doesn't stop pirates.

But how will we know if they can't even get on the forums?

Most DRM discommodes the honest purchaser/player much more than the pirate.

How though? If you meet the minimum requirements of the game (to include an internet connection) there should be no reason the DRM gets in your way.

How though? If you meet the minimum requirements of the game (to include an internet connection) there should be no reason the DRM gets in your way.

If it does nothing to stop piracy, why should I have to jump through hoops to play something I bought? I don't want to have to register with some site/service to play a game. I just want to buy a game, put it in the cup holder, and play the damned thing.

Because it makes the developers / publishers feel happy, and they make the rules. You'll either live by them or fall behind. They won't really care. You can't beat em, join em. As for the question of not having an internet connection? Well it's likely listed as a requirement to play the game, so you should know beforehand you can't play a game like Diablo III without a constant internet connection. They gave plenty of notice, so you could either comply or not play.

Because it makes the developers / publishers feel happy, and they make the rules. You'll either live by them or fall behind. They won't really care. You can't beat em, join em. As for the question of not having an internet connection? Well it's likely listed as a requirement to play the game, so you should know beforehand you can't play a game like Diablo III without a constant internet connection. They gave plenty of notice, so you could either comply or not play.

Because it makes the developers / publishers feel happy..

A requirement for essential gameplay features? Fine.

A requirement for preventing piracy and failing? People have a right to complain.

They have the right to make you be online to prevent piracy too, so....

Are you totally missing the point that the requirement is only an inconvenience to the people who buy the game? Those happen to be the people the company should care about.

Whether or not it affects you personally, it does affect other people.

They have the right to make you be online to prevent piracy too, so....

Because it makes the developers / publishers feel happy, and they make the rules. You'll either live by them or fall behind. They won't really care. You can't beat em, join em. As for the question of not having an internet connection? Well it's likely listed as a requirement to play the game, so you should know beforehand you can't play a game like Diablo III without a constant internet connection. They gave plenty of notice, so you could either comply or not play.

I'm not here to make them happy. They're supposed to make me, the consumer, happy.

Because it makes the developers / publishers feel happy, and they make the rules. You'll either live by them or fall behind.