PC copy protection

Rockstar has made its anti-piracy battle plan public, and here are the details of the copy protection:

*Online activation is required (only once per system, no limit).

*SecuROM copy protection: the game will need the original disc, except, naturally, for legal versions, e.g. ones downloaded from Direct 2 Drive.

*Single-player requires a Games for Windows LIVE registration (free), which will be used for saving and tracking achievements.

*Multiplayer requires an active internet connection and a Games for Windows LIVE registration (still free), plus a Rockstar Social Club registration for uploading videos.

*If you have no web access, or just don't want to connect the computer you play on to the net, you can use another machine for the activation. The exact method isn't public yet, details are expected around the release.

*This doesn't apply to legally downloaded versions, where, depending on the seller, the game can be installed on e.g. 5 machines at once, and if you uninstall one, another installation slot is freed up.

*For those playing the illegal version, Rockstar promises a reduced gaming experience. (Knowing the cracker groups, I'll believe it when I see it...)

*If the two main components of the computer change (CPU and graphics card), the game may ask for reactivation.

Well... I'm afraid it won't hold out for long. :)