You’d be surprised how many steam games have no DRM other than steam itself. And how easy it is to put in a replacement (open-source) dll that acts as a steam emulator and runs the games without steam. I’d say… pretty much every non-AAA game on steam can have DRM removed this way. It’s such barebones DRM that I can’t really find reason to be angry at it.
But you do still need to install Steam to get the files at all. GOG lets you download installers from the website, and the desktop client is completely optional.
You can also use steamcmd or DepotDownloader. It’s not DRM just because no website download is available, once they are downloaded they are yours to keep.
True, but my point is that having to use third-party tools just to access games you bought without downloading a desktop client isn’t as consumer-friendly as the way GOG offers offline installers directly for every game.
my point is that having to use third-party tools just to access games you bought
In other words, contrarianism for the sake of contrarianism. You had to download that DRM-free installer somehow, yes? I’m betting you used a web browser to do that. I.e. a third-party tool used to access the games you bought.
Yup, but they need to support Linux better. I’m glad that Heroic exists and apparently they’re now taking a cut of GOG purchases made through their launcher, but there’s still a lot missing from what Galaxy does.
FYI games on Steam don’t actually have to use any DRM. e.g. Kerbal Space Program – you can download it, close the Steam client, copy it to another folder, unplug your network cable… then go launch the .EXE from its directory and play anyway.
True, and I’ve played GOG games that were misconfigured when using the downloaded installer but were fine when installed with their launcher. So its not as clear cut as it looks on the surface.
But I do wish steam promoted DRM Free games with a tag like they do gamepad support, family sharing, or steam workshop.
@JulesTheModest Er…How do you mean? The Galaxy app has its issues, but I’ve not run into this one.
Biggest issue I ran into was years back trying to point it to my existing directory of GOG games from before Galaxy to get it to recognize them without reinstalling them, but eventually I just decided to reinstall whenever I felt like playing them again (and uninstall from old location).
It’s decent enough to consider it, I’ll give you that.
Something worth adding, I think:
I mainly play smaller games (like ≤ 10 GB, often below 5 GB at that), with few bigger ones in the mix, which is why I even considered this method.
Also back when GOG Galaxy was being introduced, GOG had fewer big games, I think. If not then it’s that I lean towards smaller and older games in general.
I agree, and strive to remain cognizant of how both game size and digital only games serve to widen the digital divide.
Appreciate your reply compelling me to elaborate, as without I see where it can read like, “why not redownload several 50+ GB games” which unfortunately is increasingly people’s situation with games. 😟
No need to use the app at all. The games on there are drm free. Run the game any way you want. That said, I like gog galaxy cos it keeps all the games I own on every platform together, and I use the search function to find the game I want and hit play. Or just hit view all and browse.
We don’t believe in controlling you and your games. Here, you won’t be locked out of titles you paid for, or constantly asked to prove you own them - this is DRM-free gaming.
I used GOG much more when they were the only ones in town releasing old games, especially DOS games, that actually ran on modern systems. Steam has a lot of what I wasn’t able to get anywhere but GOG now; many are even updated graphically or on new engines because certain old games are in vogue now. This isn’t Steam or GOG’s fault though… If anyone can be blamed, I’d blame Nightdive for making kick-ass source ports and not having them available on GOG.
It’s true that most (not all) old games on GOG now are also on Steam, but I do still find the GOG versions are often better configured, sometimes with custom or community patches preinstalled that Steam doesn’t include.
Would be good to see gog get more popular. Fuck drm
You’d be surprised how many steam games have no DRM other than steam itself. And how easy it is to put in a replacement (open-source) dll that acts as a steam emulator and runs the games without steam. I’d say… pretty much every non-AAA game on steam can have DRM removed this way. It’s such barebones DRM that I can’t really find reason to be angry at it.
Cool, but it’s still DRM, contrary to GoG where you just download the installer and pass a pendrive around.
There are games with no DRM at all on Steam as well, it’s up to the developer.
See also: https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/The_big_list_of_DRM-free_games_on_Steam
But you do still need to install Steam to get the files at all. GOG lets you download installers from the website, and the desktop client is completely optional.
You can also use steamcmd or DepotDownloader. It’s not DRM just because no website download is available, once they are downloaded they are yours to keep.
True, but my point is that having to use third-party tools just to access games you bought without downloading a desktop client isn’t as consumer-friendly as the way GOG offers offline installers directly for every game.
In other words, contrarianism for the sake of contrarianism. You had to download that DRM-free installer somehow, yes? I’m betting you used a web browser to do that. I.e. a third-party tool used to access the games you bought.
Yup, but they need to support Linux better. I’m glad that Heroic exists and apparently they’re now taking a cut of GOG purchases made through their launcher, but there’s still a lot missing from what Galaxy does.
FYI games on Steam don’t actually have to use any DRM. e.g. Kerbal Space Program – you can download it, close the Steam client, copy it to another folder, unplug your network cable… then go launch the .EXE from its directory and play anyway.
True, and I’ve played GOG games that were misconfigured when using the downloaded installer but were fine when installed with their launcher. So its not as clear cut as it looks on the surface.
But I do wish steam promoted DRM Free games with a tag like they do gamepad support, family sharing, or steam workshop.
I like gog the site not the gog galaxy app. I always have to look too hard to start a game up.
@JulesTheModest Er…How do you mean? The Galaxy app has its issues, but I’ve not run into this one.
Biggest issue I ran into was years back trying to point it to my existing directory of GOG games from before Galaxy to get it to recognize them without reinstalling them, but eventually I just decided to reinstall whenever I felt like playing them again (and uninstall from old location).
Wow, internet where you live must be great
It’s decent enough to consider it, I’ll give you that.
Something worth adding, I think:
I mainly play smaller games (like ≤ 10 GB, often below 5 GB at that), with few bigger ones in the mix, which is why I even considered this method.
Also back when GOG Galaxy was being introduced, GOG had fewer big games, I think. If not then it’s that I lean towards smaller and older games in general.
I wish more games were small. Talos Principle 2 is 70 gigabytes, first one was more like 10. Bigger games is a problem for people in poorer areas.
I agree, and strive to remain cognizant of how both game size and digital only games serve to widen the digital divide.
Appreciate your reply compelling me to elaborate, as without I see where it can read like, “why not redownload several 50+ GB games” which unfortunately is increasingly people’s situation with games. 😟
No need to use the app at all. The games on there are drm free. Run the game any way you want. That said, I like gog galaxy cos it keeps all the games I own on every platform together, and I use the search function to find the game I want and hit play. Or just hit view all and browse.
Not all games on GOG are DRM free.
From the GOG website.
You’ll need to show some proof for that claim.
Do you have an example? Drm free is one of their selling points.
I used GOG much more when they were the only ones in town releasing old games, especially DOS games, that actually ran on modern systems. Steam has a lot of what I wasn’t able to get anywhere but GOG now; many are even updated graphically or on new engines because certain old games are in vogue now. This isn’t Steam or GOG’s fault though… If anyone can be blamed, I’d blame Nightdive for making kick-ass source ports and not having them available on GOG.
It’s true that most (not all) old games on GOG now are also on Steam, but I do still find the GOG versions are often better configured, sometimes with custom or community patches preinstalled that Steam doesn’t include.