If a game is not sold as a standalone offline installer, do not buy it.<br><b>*Litmus test:*</b> after you have acquired the game installer, on a physical disc or otherwise, you must be able to move the installer, alone, to a system that did NOT download anything related to that game, and, WITHOUT an Internet connection, install, and play that game to your satisfaction.<br>Historically, this was the case for physical media, which is a big reason you'll see people ferverently defending it, but the two are separate issues; it is possible to hide online installers on physical media (modern AAA titles), and it is possible to download an offline installer (GOG).