For example, apparently nowadays video games require you to have an
internet connection whenever you play them, instead of requiring you to
have the install media in the drive whenever you play them.
It has been done, I think EA is the major culprit here. Much more common is an internet connection to register the game before you can play it, typically with Steam. However once you've registered you can play offline (if anyone actually plays games offline these days), don't need the installation media in the drive, and can download the game if you ever lose the disc(s) at no cost beyond the bandwidth.