Are you really that obtuse? Introducing pay-to-play isn't a quick and dirty process, it's slow and will be done step by step because otherwise publishers are afraid to alienate the people and loose income. So they're doing it bit by bit and wait for the users to get used to the latest stage. Or have you taken a look at M$ online services for the XBox? Think that and go one step further ... Cloud computing, no longer purchasing a DVD (or whatever) but a key to access the software running on a remote server. A publisher's wet dream.
Zauii ... I'm not opposed to anti-piracy measures but these have to work without impeding the use by an honest customer. DRM does not do this job, it's all about limiting the user's rights and artificially injecting the publisher into the process (because in the times of the web the publisher is becoming more and more superfluous to the development process apart from financing it). I have said it before (though not in this thread) but I have nothing against a onetime online verification of my copy, kinda like Windows does after installing it, or even a periodical check (with me deciding if I allow the connection), but being forced to remain connected continuously is a step beyond a threshold I will not make. If this is the future of PC gaming then by all means I'm out of it.