i'd sooner associate it with they're trying to convince themselves that it's working more than anything else. nobody likes it, the piracy's high, and it's already been proven ineffective - both as a means to not crack the game (very first game like this in a month 100%, in a day to playable form) and the system used (server emulator, which... is honestly the easier of the two to fool the game with, and thus quicker).
as for this situation, i'd sooner bet Blizzard did more of this than Activision. they definitely are behind the auction house ideas after WoW. the drm that part i'm not sure. doubt 10 characters limit stays though, can easily see them raise it in later expansion packs (only it seems they've the decency/foresight to not also go 'hey we're 3 parting this game' this time). but that drm is just weird. can see Blizzard just because of WoW and they might go 'well this many people went on the MMO soo...". though i'd also assume they know better too, ditto for Activision staying out of Blizzard's way. just weird.
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The future must protect the clone's past.
"Maybe it's a tentacle, molesting the planet itself. - Aschen Brodel.