Note: The game isn't on Linux, but it raises an important issue.
So, this annoyed me to the point of having to write about it. Hero Siege was sold on IndieGameStand DRM free and without warning the developer has now removed the DRM free version and has tied it to Steam.
This has led IndieGameStand to have to supply all purchasers a Steam key for the game so that they can still play it (now that is good customer service) and remove the game from their store.
IndieGameStand had to seek out the developer who simply said this to them:
Erm, what? The developer has put up an artificial barrier and completely removed their DRM free versions, without warning to the previous store that accepted them, or to the customers.
I completely agree with what the admin over at IndieGameStand store had to say, as Steam gets more and more indie games discovery will become harder and harder, so smaller stores will shine.
Source forum post
Do you think we will see more of this happening, developers removing DRM free versions? Especially with a lot of indie developers selling their games via stores like IndieGameStand, Desura and others while they try to get onto Steam.
What do you think folks? Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
So, this annoyed me to the point of having to write about it. Hero Siege was sold on IndieGameStand DRM free and without warning the developer has now removed the DRM free version and has tied it to Steam.
This has led IndieGameStand to have to supply all purchasers a Steam key for the game so that they can still play it (now that is good customer service) and remove the game from their store.
IndieGameStand had to seek out the developer who simply said this to them:
QuoteI dont think its a good idea to make a DRM-Free version, its too integrated with steam.
Erm, what? The developer has put up an artificial barrier and completely removed their DRM free versions, without warning to the previous store that accepted them, or to the customers.
I completely agree with what the admin over at IndieGameStand store had to say, as Steam gets more and more indie games discovery will become harder and harder, so smaller stores will shine.
QuoteFor those wondering, we have pulled the game from the store, updated the deal to no longer show the DRM-free emblem and hav unlocked steam keys for everyone that purchased. Like many of you, I am extremely disappointed with a Developer's focus on 1 platform. There's no reason to do a Steam version only - there are a lot of players that love the Steam ecosystem...and plenty that don't and prefer DRM free from our site, humble, GOG, Desura, and a multitude of other stores/sites. More importantly, as Steam greenlight goes away and becomes more open - it's going to be more and more important to get exposure via other means. Steam's game discovery is not that great. Getting on steam used to mean guaranteed success but with hundreds of games being greenlit - that is no longer the case. As a developer you should leverage exposure on as many platforms as you can IMO and should not bait/switch customers.
If you're an indie developer look at the most successful indies of the past few years:
Braid - Available DRM Free
Positech Games - all games available DRM Free
Minecraft - NOT EVER ON STEAM!
Just my 2 cents...
Source forum post
Do you think we will see more of this happening, developers removing DRM free versions? Especially with a lot of indie developers selling their games via stores like IndieGameStand, Desura and others while they try to get onto Steam.
What do you think 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.
That's just stupid on the dev's part. People bought a DRM-free version, then later get told "No. You have to use Steam". At this point, I'd just say that the people who bought the DRM-free version are no longer getting the product they paid for.
0 Likes
Bravo to IGS for this! I'm pretty happy to support IGS, and that sentiment is growing rapidly as time passes.
Thanks for bringing this up, Liam... I may not have noticed this, as the news comes from slightly outside of the Linux dev community. IGS has become an important part of our ecosystem, though. I find this piece pertinent as well as topical.
Thanks for bringing this up, Liam... I may not have noticed this, as the news comes from slightly outside of the Linux dev community. IGS has become an important part of our ecosystem, though. I find this piece pertinent as well as topical.
0 Likes
Whati think ... i tweeted this:
http://bit.ly/1fIXCT0 <<My opinion .. sorry dev's no buy for me. Once screwed up customer = i dunno if i want to be a customer @PanicArts
http://bit.ly/1fIXCT0 <<My opinion .. sorry dev's no buy for me. Once screwed up customer = i dunno if i want to be a customer @PanicArts
0 Likes
A twitter message sometimes help.
https://twitter.com/PanicArts/status/437392274671304704
"@Glog78 hmm, well to be honest i didnt think it was such a big deal.. but guess i can try and wrap the next update as a drm free in igs"
https://twitter.com/PanicArts/status/437392274671304704
"@Glog78 hmm, well to be honest i didnt think it was such a big deal.. but guess i can try and wrap the next update as a drm free in igs"
0 Likes
If the game relies on steamworks it is bound to steam drm. Most humble bundle ports do the following trick. They check if steamworks is available (aka steam running and "dll" loadable) and than enable steam features.
If it isn't available they just drop this code and start without the additional features.
As i the forum of IGS readable it seems like this game seems to work without steam but it bother you with questions about starting steam.
Anyway i hope the dev's stand to his word and try to give back a DRM free version to people who bought the game DRM free and keep it updatet. But time will show.
If it isn't available they just drop this code and start without the additional features.
As i the forum of IGS readable it seems like this game seems to work without steam but it bother you with questions about starting steam.
Anyway i hope the dev's stand to his word and try to give back a DRM free version to people who bought the game DRM free and keep it updatet. But time will show.
0 Likes
All devs who wish to offer Steam and non-Steam gamers their game, with only one build, should definitely be doing it the way Glog78 mentions. Specifically, Reus and Antichamber did/do this. You can play the game from your Humble standalone download, but if you've got Steam running, it'll unlock achievements, track your time played, drop Trading Cards, etc. Therefore, the "DRM-free" build and the Steam build are one and the same, and the only "DRM" thing winds up being the Steam client, if you choose to buy your games there.
0 Likes
Quoting: adolsonAll devs who wish to offer Steam and non-Steam gamers their game, with only one build, should definitely be doing it the way Glog78 mentions. Specifically, Reus and Antichamber did/do this. You can play the game from your Humble standalone download, but if you've got Steam running, it'll unlock achievements, track your time played, drop Trading Cards, etc. Therefore, the "DRM-free" build and the Steam build are one and the same, and the only "DRM" thing winds up being the Steam client, if you choose to buy your games there.
Totally agree. The problem with that game might be that the steam integration isn't done by the dev but done by the framework / Engine the dev uses. Hero Sieges uses Game Maker Studio not sure if it supports such customer friendly export.
0 Likes
Quoting: AnonymousAh, yep, definitely could be the issue here. All the more reason for budding game creators to avoid such restrictive dev kits.Quoting: adolsonAll devs who wish to offer Steam and non-Steam gamers their game, with only one build, should definitely be doing it the way Glog78 mentions. Specifically, Reus and Antichamber did/do this. You can play the game from your Humble standalone download, but if you've got Steam running, it'll unlock achievements, track your time played, drop Trading Cards, etc. Therefore, the "DRM-free" build and the Steam build are one and the same, and the only "DRM" thing winds up being the Steam client, if you choose to buy your games there.Totally agree. The problem with that game might be that the steam integration isn't done by the dev but done by the framework / Engine the dev uses. Hero Sieges uses Game Maker Studio not sure if it supports such customer friendly export.
0 Likes
Interesting, the develoeprs really had no clue that for many users DRM is a deal breaker. It's good to see them educated. Thanks for pointing it out to them Glog78.
0 Likes
So this annoys you? what about the humble guys?
* Brütal legend req. Steam for MP
* Dungeon defenders req. Steam for MP
* the old DRM free Jamestown download req now Steam
it's totally common these days...
* Brütal legend req. Steam for MP
* Dungeon defenders req. Steam for MP
* the old DRM free Jamestown download req now Steam
it's totally common these days...
0 Likes
Patreon
PayPal
See more from me