If you purchase the retail version of GalCivII, you may install and play the game without ever registering the game. I don't have any issues with using Stardock Central to get software updates; its use is optional and does not run in the background while I play the game.
I have many years experience with computer security and have serious concerns over other companies approach to security. Leading computer security expert Bruce Schneier says, "Windows Vista includes an array of 'features' that you don't want. These features will make your computer less reliable and less secure. They'll make your computer less stable and run slower. They will cause technical support problems. They may even require you to upgrade some of your peripheral hardware and existing software. And these features won't do anything useful. In fact, they're working against you. They're digital rights management (DRM) features built into Vista at the behest of the entertainment industry. And you don't get to refuse them."
DRM in Windows VistaVista and More: Piecing Together Microsoft's DRM PuzzleA Cost Analysis of Windows Vista Content Protection
