While nobody here is a fan of DRM, many companies certainly are. It comes in various forms, including one that is often overlooked – computer games. What began with simple copy-protection mechanisms eventually transformed into games that require online activation (such as Steam games). Annoying though that is, many people are willing to deal with it.

What if that game required itself to be re-activated every 10 days, however? That's the story with some software companies, who supposedly will be requiring that on their new games. Mass Effect for the PC and Spore, to name a few, are both being pointed at as the first titles that will employ this technology. The SecuROM these games are embedded with will require that the “owner” come online every 10 days to re-activate their game, or it will disable itself.

An interesting, yet controversial concept. Then again, when a cracked version of a game inevitably surfaces, you will see many people faced with two options. Get a game for free with no restrictions, legality aside, or pay $50 for a game that will disable itself if you don't maintain an Internet connection. Interesting indeed.