If you remember, Ubisoft's PC version for Assassin's Creed II and Splinter Cell: Conviction required that players be constantly connected to play them at all, a nuisance that Ubisoft eventually patched out due to pressure from fans. But now it seems like an empty victory.
Ubisoft's PR rep Dominic DiSanti, in a brief interview with Giant Bomb, has confirmed that Driver: San Francisco will return with the same requirement for an online connection, along with a Twitter notice:
When we first introduced the connection requirement last year, we stated that our decision to implement it into our PC titles would be considered on a case by case basis and this remains true. We will assess each future PC title and strive to offer the best gameplay experience possible while also ensuring that we are protecting the amazing work and effort of our talented creative teams.
Console owners, however, won't be able to sweep this under the table so easily. They will need to activate UPlay in order to play the game and buy an online pass if players purchase it secondhand.
[Source]