But, but, I'm perfectly happy playing it without Steam!

i buy the game from steam bur it  didn't start because he don't recognize the CD-Key and it stop working... steam told me to ask stardock for activation and stardock bounce me on steam....

waste of money.

I bought on Steam and was provided with a key by Steam when the installation was complete. It prompted me that the key might be needed when the game was started. So I copied it to the clipboard to have it ready if needed.

I started the game and there was no request for the key. Everything went smoothly. The next time I started the game, Steam again provided the key. There was a checkbox "don't show me this again". Since everything was working fine, I clicked on that checkbox and have not been given the key since.

I've been playing the game repeatedly with no problem.

Does Steam maintain stats like Stardock did?  I tried to submit a game and it did not take...

I own the first two (dark avatar); is there a discounted upgrade price if I want to get the third and/or ultimate edition?

No Workee in Windows 8

Isn't the original Galactic Civilizations made for OS/2 Frogboy?  Don't deny your heritage...