A question I am sure is burning in everyone’s minds is "Will gog.com ever support Linux", well I aim to give this a bit of limelight here on GOL.
First of all let me direct you to this wishlist item on gog.com itself which has 11,125 votes on it, I find that crazy that a store like gog.com has that many customers who want to support them with their money if they just put up Linux versions of games. So while you are on that page be sure to give it a vote if you like DRM Free games in a standalone download, no messing around with clients like Steam or Desura.
Now something else has popped up on my email radar recently, I am speaking about Simon Roth the developer of Maia who stated this on reddit in response to a question from one of our supporters FutureSuture;
That sounds vaguely promising doesn't it? Well I choose to look at it that way anyway.
Personally I think gog.com run a great service for the PC Gaming industry making sure gamers have a place to get games new and old that aren't filled with any DRM, it's really a great store, hell I am even a customer!
I have a copy of Freespace 2 and Theme Hospital from them to use on the open source engines, I would gladly buy more from them too if they only allowed Linux versions up.
Although this did get me thinking, is it difficult for developers to bundle Linux, Mac and Windows executables in one package? I have seen some developers do this before so I know it is possible and wonder why more don't do that?
That's not exactly a full solution though, we need gog.com to note if a game has a Linux version and support us on it. Personally I consider them one of our major roadblocks for getting accepted as a major gaming platform considering how big a store they are.
The more places that support us the more people can learn Linux exists too right? That can only be a good thing.
What are your thoughts folks?
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
First of all let me direct you to this wishlist item on gog.com itself which has 11,125 votes on it, I find that crazy that a store like gog.com has that many customers who want to support them with their money if they just put up Linux versions of games. So while you are on that page be sure to give it a vote if you like DRM Free games in a standalone download, no messing around with clients like Steam or Desura.
Now something else has popped up on my email radar recently, I am speaking about Simon Roth the developer of Maia who stated this on reddit in response to a question from one of our supporters FutureSuture;
QuoteI've spoken in person at length about this with them. I can say no more!
That sounds vaguely promising doesn't it? Well I choose to look at it that way anyway.
Personally I think gog.com run a great service for the PC Gaming industry making sure gamers have a place to get games new and old that aren't filled with any DRM, it's really a great store, hell I am even a customer!
I have a copy of Freespace 2 and Theme Hospital from them to use on the open source engines, I would gladly buy more from them too if they only allowed Linux versions up.
Although this did get me thinking, is it difficult for developers to bundle Linux, Mac and Windows executables in one package? I have seen some developers do this before so I know it is possible and wonder why more don't do that?
That's not exactly a full solution though, we need gog.com to note if a game has a Linux version and support us on it. Personally I consider them one of our major roadblocks for getting accepted as a major gaming platform considering how big a store they are.
The more places that support us the more people can learn Linux exists too right? That can only be a good thing.
What are your thoughts folks?
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
0 Likes
Some you may have missed, popular articles from the last month:
The comments on this article are closed.
Fuck GOG and their shitty stuff. Who the fuck want them. Steam support linux and almost any games you find on GOG is already on steam.
0 Likes
Quoting: owenFuck GOG and their shitty stuff. Who the fuck want them. Steam support linux and almost any games you find on GOG is already on steam.
Anyone who doesn't accept DRM. As simple as that. And it's a lot of Linux users for your reference. I'm simply not going to use Steam while they have any bit of DRM involved.
0 Likes
Quoting: ShmerlQuoting: liamdaweThere are already games on Steam that don't require steam to even be running, Steam already supports it.
For me DRM free means several things:
1. Downloadable installer / package which you can save and use at any time on any machine without relying on existing service.
2. No registration keys and etc. to play the game.
3. No requirement to run some shadow process ("client" and etc.) to play the game.
4. No requirement to connect to any servers to play the game (unless it's a MMORPG or something that implies on-line connectivity by design of course).
I'm not using Steam, but I got the impression that it requires #3 (running a client) for many games. And while it doesn't require it for some games, it doesn't offer a downloadable installer for any game. So there always is some DRM involved. I'd rather support services which have clear DRM free policy.
I've got Deus Ex on Steam. The only time I needed Steam to download it was on initial download. It does not need Steam to actually run. Back it up and that's it. No need to ever install Steam again. Keep the archive safe. Just because you have to sign on for a service does not mean it's DRM.
It's like complaining that you have to log on GOG's site to be able to download games.
0 Likes
Quoting: ShmerlAnyone who doesn't accept DRM. As simple as that. And it's a lot of Linux user for your reference. I'm simply not going to use Steam while they have any bit of DRM involved.
Well, I can agree with that. ;)
0 Likes
Quoting: SilviuIt's like complaining that you have to log on GOG's site to be able to download games.
What is at issue is the fact that Steam sells DRM enabled games and can be a DRM platform in of itself, not that all of the games it sells have DRM. And both of these issues don't apply to GoG.
0 Likes
Linux users should pull their butt plug out and be grateful that valve is porting games to linux and with steam for linux there can be AAA titles on linux. BTW I am a linux user and glad that valve has the ball to do it.
0 Likes
Quoting: SilviuI've got Deus Ex on Steam. The only time I needed Steam to download it was on initial download. It does not need Steam to actually run. Back it up and that's it. No need to ever install Steam again. Keep the archive safe. Just because you have to sign on for a service does not mean it's DRM.
It's like complaining that you have to log on GOG's site to be able to download games.
Well, if you can simply archive the game directory and use it as a backup for further installs, then it's not as bad. But is it true for all Steam games? And if so, why don't they offer to download an archive? Another big downside there is that they don't inform you what kind of DRM (if any) is involved. Desura for example do it (even though most of their games are DRM free).
0 Likes
Quoting: owenLinux users should pull their butt plug out and be grateful that valve is porting games to linux and with steam for linux there can be AAA titles on linux. BTW I am a linux user and glad that valve has the ball to do it.
I'm not grateful for them proliferating any DRM on Linux. I'm grateful that they increase interest in Linux as a platform for developers. Credit should go where it's due. And criticism where it is due as well.
0 Likes
Quoting: ShmerlWhat is this I am seeing here then?: http://store.steampowered.com/sub/987/:Quoting: SilviuI've got Deus Ex on Steam. The only time I needed Steam to download it was on initial download. It does not need Steam to actually run. Back it up and that's it. No need to ever install Steam again. Keep the archive safe. Just because you have to sign on for a service does not mean it's DRM.
It's like complaining that you have to log on GOG's site to be able to download games.
Well, if you can simply archive the game directory and use it as a backup for further installs, then it's not as bad. But is it true for all Steam games? And if so, why don't they offer to download an archive? Another big downside there is that they don't inform you what kind of DRM (if any) is involved. Desura for example do it (even though most of their games are DRM free).
"3rd-party DRM: SecuROM™
5 machine activation limit"
It is true that this is not on EVERY game with 3rd party DRM but that likely comes down to the publisher or developer not providing that info and while games that only use Steamworks DRM won't typically list that as it isn't 3rd party and is the default way of doing things on Steam(so is implicitly assumed to be the case unless stated otherwise), Valve's own Half-Life 2 has the following on system requirements listed on its Steam store page:
QuoteInternet ConnectionThat is despite it not requiring a constant internet connection as Steam has an offline mode fully supported by Half-Life 2. In fact I loose my connection all the time and 100% of the time I have been able to play my Steam games without any issue whatsoever.
Steam automatically goes in to offline mode when it is unable to connect. But since you require an Internet Connection for installs they list that as part of the system requirements.
Edit:
Half-Life 2 Steam store page.
Also notice that Steam's own standard DRM does NOT come with any activation limits at all. You can activate/authenticate and install games using it on as many systems as you like, however you can only play on one system AT THE SAME time.
Edit2:
I should also add that Steam has a backup feature that allows backups to optical media and external HDD's and the like. So you can use that as your installation media in the future(though you still need the online authentication at the end).
0 Likes
So in the end, you can have some games that are actually fully DRM free, but not comfortably packaged for you to back up. Others come with various levels of DRM nastiness and without a clear indication of its presence (in some cases it's indicated as 3rd party, and in others it's not since it's Steamworks DRM). The point of limited activations is by far not the worst point in DRM. Privacy and security concerns are much more important. And, I assume you can't filter the catalog based on DRM free criteria?
This is useless, since one of the key problems with DRM is, that when the service is being closed, DRMed content which depends on the service becomes a pile of useless garbage. So such kind of backups which require you to log in to Steam to install them are not good.
All in all, that's not good enough for me. Buy using a service you actually support / endorse it. I prefer to support those who have a clear DRM free position.
Quoting: KristianI should also add that Steam has a backup feature that allows backups to optical media and external HDD's and the like. So you can use that as your installation media in the future(though you still need the online authentication at the end).
This is useless, since one of the key problems with DRM is, that when the service is being closed, DRMed content which depends on the service becomes a pile of useless garbage. So such kind of backups which require you to log in to Steam to install them are not good.
All in all, that's not good enough for me. Buy using a service you actually support / endorse it. I prefer to support those who have a clear DRM free position.
0 Likes
Patreon
PayPal
See more from me