You are just ignoring that the installers can be downloaded and saved. Or even just the game directory can continue to work.
For people who value that it is a difference. Even how the game works is different with how some don't work offline or lose ability to function offline once verification expires compared to non DRM counterparts.
You are an idiot acting as if DRM and DRM free is the same as though some license terms is the only determining factor.
I wonder what the most popular controller to use on PC is in Japan. Xbox is plug and play, but Xbox controllers aren't popular. So would Nintendo or Sony controllers be the most popular with improvements in steam input?