Regardless, the use of the cloud in this game is for more than just to deter pirates. That much is clear.
So you're right that its not "evil DRM" in the traditional sense, that shit failed and publishers moved on years ago. Online components, and preferable mandatory online components is the new AAA game anti-piracy, anti-secondary-market strategy.
EA could have designed a more resilient architecture without sacrificing the multi-player/social aspects. But they didn't, why not?
So you're right that its not "evil DRM" in the traditional sense, that shit failed and publishers moved on years ago. Online components, and preferable mandatory online components is the new AAA game anti-piracy, anti-secondary-market strategy.
EA could have designed a more resilient architecture without sacrificing the multi-player/social aspects. But they didn't, why not?