I just wanted to know whether or not ubisoft still loads those services onto your machine without authorization just to play online (and whether or not server side programs like FeedPirhanas is still prevalent).

RVS & AS have been in a box for over a year and a half for just that reason. Thinking about reinstalling them if that crap is gone.

I haven't noticed any new background processes/services. But then again, I never went online.

I think you should be safe with single player, but don't take my word for it.

Other than maybe punkbuster, I'm not really sure what he's talking about??

Yeah, that was it. PunkbusterA and punkbusterb or somesuch thing.

I realize it's all in the name of anti-cheating, but those monitoring services, which aren't well documented, and the EULA (they have the right to install or update files on your computer without authorization) was pretty much the last straw.

The first RVS copy I bought didn't even work -- GUID was permanently banned. Punkbuster never replied to my email, they have no direct number (that ubi would provide) and ubi told me me to fork over an additional $5 to get a new one. $5 is cheap, but the thought of having to pay an additional sum to make my legally purchased game work as it should really fried my bacon. I'll never buy/install another ubisoft-produced or Punkbuster-integrated game until that shat is gone.

But I've made enough rants in the past... Just want to know if any recent updates got rid of it.

Seriously, you can easily disable them in the services if you're worried about them.
You can even remove them.

Just unplug from the Internet, install the game and remove them.
Don't throw this baby out because of the bath water.

I am pretty sure I did not install punkbuster. But I may be wrong.

It really is a great game.

R6 Raven Shield/Athena Sword/Iron Wrath never, NEVER included Punkbuster - it was distributed as separated installation. But it is a "must have" if you want to play on public servers and avoid cheaters. So if you want to play Single Player Campaign, there is no reason for you to not install this awesome game.

Btw. Call of Duty, Battlefield and many other shooters install Punkbuster without even asking you, but on other hand - i've never had any issues with it.

Thanks guys. Unfortunately if you remove the services, the game will not work on most online servers. It may be true Punkbuster was never included with the original, but the game was made with the SPECIFIC intention of integrating Punkbuster, hence the Punkbuster options in the Options Menu and Multiplayer Menu. You just can't play in most online servers without it. Not officially including it in the original software simply provides ubisoft with a convenient excuse to do nothing when something goes wrong, as I found out.

And I did complete the single player mode for RVS & AS many moons ago -- the physics, weapons & esp. the storyline are absolutely absurd to me as even the most remote approximation of reality, MP was the only saving grace. Oh well, this goes on Amazon today.

It's not a big deal to go into services and turn it on for those servers that require it.
Not all servers require it, disable the service otherwise. The game supports it, but it doesn't NEED it to run. I've had ZERO issues with PB and haven't heard of it ever doing anything malicious.

Tempest in a teapot if you ask me, but fill your boots.

Well, back when it was released, not many games had much in terms of physics. :p

And only two or so games (well, mods) actually made realistic weapons when it was released.

I'd suggest trying Iron Wrath if you have not already. It adds 7 more single player missions. You might as well get as much as you can out of it before you sell it.