No, software doesn't have to phone home and verify to work. That's entirely due to DRM. If you think DRM is an integral part of software, I've got a bridge to sell you. I also see that long-term thinking and consequence reflection is lacking. I'm sure steam will never fail, it will never change CEO or board members, it will never suffer outages. I'm sure. Consume product and move on and downwards.
Steam doesn't gate your library behind an online checkin though. The only thing you are missing when steam is down is the ability to download games and use the store and social features.
No, software doesn't have to phone home and verify to work. That's entirely due to DRM. If you think DRM is an integral part of software, I've got a bridge to sell you. I also see that long-term thinking and consequence reflection is lacking. I'm sure steam will never fail, it will never change CEO or board members, it will never suffer outages. I'm sure. Consume product and move on and downwards.
Steam doesn't gate your library behind an online checkin though. The only thing you are missing when steam is down is the ability to download games and use the store and social features.