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Sports Interactive have defended their decision to make players of Football Manager take up a subscription to Steam as part of an "unfortunate reality" to combat video game piracy.

Previously only used to download the full version of the game, FM2012 will require users who have bought the boxed version to also play the game via the server.

Sports Interactive studio director Miles Jacobson told Eurogamer: "I would love to have no DRM on our games… I’d also love to not have to have locks on my home, or a burglar alarm, or locks on my car. How good would a life without keys be I’d also love to have no insurance, either at home, or at the studio. Or a security guard at the office.

The unfortunate reality is that as long as there are dishonest people in the world, you will need locks, and you’ll need insurance. As long as there are people out there who want to pirate, there will be a need for DRM."

Gamers can get a taste of Football Manager 2012 by downloading the demo now, with the full game released on October 21.

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