As a long term PC gamer, two things.

Almost every game out there, made in recent years has had some login component with a publisher type service. Ubisoft, rockstar, Microsoft, etc. So this behaviour isn't entirely unprecedented.

On the other hand:

Pretty much every single one of those PC versions that have publisher logins, will let you play without logging in. You will sometimes be feature limited, or you will be unable to obtain certain rewards or something.... Some only allow you to unlock DLC after you've signed in... Stuff like that. The game can still be played, at some diminished capacity, but it can be played.

Making it a hard requirement, crosses a line for many. If it's optional, sure, those who can't or won't get an account are still able to play, most will likely get an account to ensure they have the full experience.

I might be wrong, but I can't recall any game that would refuse to launch the game without an account. You'll get bugged about it a bit, but it still runs. The only exception I can give to this is any MMO which requires a subscription to the game in order to play; the most notable example of this is WoW. In those cases, you need an account to subscribe to the game in order to play. Almost always, the subscription fee is the cost of the game, so you don't buy the game, and then pay a subscription to play online.... Unless it's a Nintendo game, I suppose.