Steam is the only option (at least here in the US, not sure about worldwide.) It doesn't use SeuROM, just steamworks. The only "DRM" stardock puts on is a registration/activation. Which is basically just entering the same credentials you are using to post on these boards. That activates or creates some file for the program to check for, and voila, you are up and running. You'll only need to do this upon the first run with a new installation, you won't see this every time you go to run the game.