I would bet that a majority of those who have a major problem with Steamworks would be pirating the game anyway. 
 
If it's all about multiplayer data, then you're on the internet regardless, Steamworks is the same as tying to the Steam account I would imagine, just in an online form so you can access it from any computer.

so now that its supporting steamworks,  the steam cloud, and steam achievements does that mean my retail copy I preordered will link to my steam account and i can just Download it if i lose my discs down the line... I have been trying to figure this out cuz if not i might cancle the preorder and just go with steam. I just like when i got orange box and left for dead and have discs but they are also on my steam library. Any info would help I would really like to know...