In a move that's both hilarious and also quite important, GOG have launched a new website named 'FCK DRM' to help people understand what DRM is and how it can be harmful.
I'm sure most of you know by know how much of a nuisance DRM can be, it's in games, movies and more and the purpose is supposed to be to deter piracy. However, a fair amount of the time it does end up hurting people purchasing games from legitimate sources.
DRM-free approach in games has been at the heart of GOG.COM from day one. We strongly believe that if you buy a game, it should be yours, and you can play it the way it’s convenient for you, and not how others want you to use it.
The landscape has changed since 2008, and today many people don’t realize what DRM even means. And still the DRM issue in games remains – you’re never sure when and why you can be blocked from accessing them. And it’s not only games that are affected, but your favourite books, music, movies and apps as well.
To use the perfect example: When EA released SimCity in 2013, even for the single-player part of the game you were forced to be online. I remember the outrage, why did people have to sit in a queue to play a game they've paid for in single-player or even offline? It's completely idiotic and so I do applaud any decent effort to ensure people know about DRM and why it can be a real crappy thing.
It's an important issue, you don't want to suddenly lose access to games you've paid for before servers go offline or the developer decides to vanish. There's so many examples of why sticking DRM into games is a bad thing, it also never really stops piracy as people always end up finding away around it.
Visit the FCKDRM site for more.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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And my obligatory (so no one could say I am biased towards GOG and against Steam) "And what it has to do with Gaming on Linux?".
Seriously though, I think it is kinda dumb. Instead of improving its own quality GOG thinks it is OK to piss on others.
They preaching about DRM-free while at the same time forcing Galaxy towards everyone's throats.
Seriously though, I think it is kinda dumb. Instead of improving its own quality GOG thinks it is OK to piss on others.
They preaching about DRM-free while at the same time forcing Galaxy towards everyone's throats.
1 Likes, Who?
They preaching about DRM-free while at the same time forcing Galaxy towards everyone's throats.
I fail to see what your point here is.
3 Likes, Who?
And my obligatory (so no one could say I am biased towards GOG and against Steam) "And what it has to do with Gaming on Linux?".There are many games that can't be run on Linux because of DRM. For example: Warhammer 40k: Eternal Crusade stopped working in wine after they added DRM.
They preaching about DRM-free while at the same time forcing Galaxy towards everyone's throats.Galaxy isn't DRM, you don't need it to play GOG games.
I support this movement. The DRM is always breached after some time by pirates. And the warez version is often better than the original, because you don't need DRM software installed (often causing issue with game).
Last edited by Zlopez on 22 August 2018 at 10:53 am UTC
7 Likes, Who?
TheRiddick Aug 22, 2018
If anything, DRM sort of promotes people to pirate software just to get around the nonsense.
A good example is Simplify3D printer software, only lets you register 2 operating systems (not computers, but OS's), and often forgets registered OS's, then when you try to relink it via their website you hit a brick wall limit of how many times that's allowed. Answer to the problem, PIRATE IT!
Anyway that is 3d printer software, but similar issues happen with games. (or worse)
Last edited by TheRiddick on 22 August 2018 at 10:52 am UTC
A good example is Simplify3D printer software, only lets you register 2 operating systems (not computers, but OS's), and often forgets registered OS's, then when you try to relink it via their website you hit a brick wall limit of how many times that's allowed. Answer to the problem, PIRATE IT!
Anyway that is 3d printer software, but similar issues happen with games. (or worse)
Last edited by TheRiddick on 22 August 2018 at 10:52 am UTC
5 Likes, Who?
And my obligatory (so no one could say I am biased towards GOG and against Steam) "And what it has to do with Gaming on Linux?".
Seriously though, I think it is kinda dumb. Instead of improving its own quality GOG thinks it is OK to piss on others.
They preaching about DRM-free while at the same time forcing Galaxy towards everyone's throats.
Well, to present you a very relevant example (and I'm surprised Liam hasn't mentioned it in his examples of how harmful DRM can be), it's impossible to use Proton/Wine on games with anti-tamper DRM technology like Denuvo, unless the publisher does the work themselves, which they rarely do. So it affects gaming on Linux by preventing the use of emulators and compatibility layers on games that don't have a native version. There have been multiple instances of games where Denuvo was the biggest obstacle to making a Wine script, DOOM for instance worked perfectly in alpha before Denuvo was added, and worked perfectly after it was removed.
Also, DRM-freedom generally aligns with the free open source ideals of Linux, so people who care enough about freedom to use Linux will tend to care enough about DRMs to not want them on their games.
Finally, Galaxy might be heavily marketed by GOG, but they don't force it down our throats. They would have trouble doing so anyways, as Galaxy isn't even available on Linux, and they always offer a Galaxy-free version of their games on Windows. It's a game client, not a DRM, it is and will always stay entirely optional, and that's the point.
10 Likes, Who?
TheRiddick Aug 22, 2018
If THINGS like Denuvo want to continue existing in the future they will need to support other OS's and also graphics wrappers like DXVK and proton, otherwise developers will slowly forget they exist!
2 Likes, Who?
What I want is for GOG to stop forcing Galaxy to anyone. If they absolutely must have a client, they can have it "itch.io-style".They preaching about DRM-free while at the same time forcing Galaxy towards everyone's throats.GOG is not forcing GOG Galaxy towards linux(sic) gamers... And I guess lots of us want that.
What they are doing right now is forcing their own closed-source DRM "Galaxy API" onto developers and gamers alike.
Galaxy isn't DRM, you don't need it to play GOG games.You need it to play GWENT and some multiplayer-oriented games. And GOG is forcing Galaxy for Windows installers (bundling it with installers, hiding "classic" AKA "galaxy-free" installers from customers behind unimaginable amount of obstructions on the web site). Naturally, due to Galaxy absence on Linux it is not apparent for us, but Windows™ using GOG's customers are less than happy about the situation.
I support this movement. The DRM is always breached after some time by pirates. And the warez version is often better than the original, because you don't need DRM software installed (often causing issue with game).I couldn't agree more! DRM is pure evil and in no way I'm giving my money to pro-DRM companies. But with recent developments it is really not GOG's right to begin bitching around. Not the right place, not the right time.
4 Likes, Who?
TheRiddick Aug 22, 2018
A simple prompt to check if you have GOG galaxy already installed (thus ignore) and if not then offer the customer a option to install it, as OPTIONAL. It shouldn't be auto installing it or forcing no other option (such as just install the bloody game option).
In saying that I do want a native version of GOG Galaxy so I can keep some of my games up to date (getting sick of constantly re-downloading them due to major patch changes).
In saying that I do want a native version of GOG Galaxy so I can keep some of my games up to date (getting sick of constantly re-downloading them due to major patch changes).
1 Likes, Who?
Arehandoro Aug 22, 2018
I really like this initiave and hopefully more companies join the cause. I wish there were more well known music/films in the stores though.
4 Likes, Who?
qptain Nemo Aug 22, 2018
What makes Galaxy worse than any other installer? I see no issue with the default installer program being a sort of installer-updater-client thing if it's not required for running the game itself. So if somebody does I'd like to know why. Feel free to point out obvious elements, because I have no experience with Galaxy whatsoever.
0 Likes
And my obligatory (so no one could say I am biased towards GOG and against Steam) "And what it has to do with Gaming on Linux?".
GOG has third party tiles supporting Linux yet their first party titles does not what am i suppose to draw from that conclusion... they only want tux bux, but they themselves can't or won't be bothered in growing/developing the gaming community on Linux. I am all for DRM - FREE but what better place to have it than on Linux Os.
3 Likes, Who?
Well, to present you a very relevant example (and I'm surprised Liam hasn't mentioned it in his examples of how harmful DRM can be), it's impossible to use Proton/Wine on games with anti-tamper DRM technology like Denuvo, unless the publisher does the work themselves, which they rarely do.Nobody guarantees anything with WINE. And personally I couldn't care less about Proton/DXVK deal per se. All of my Windows™ games are from my Windows™ life which ended in 2008.
But don't get me wrong, I'm strongly against DRM, up to the point of refusing anything Steam-related because IMO, Steam is DRM on its own, no matter how weak.
Also, DRM-freedom generally aligns with the free open source ideals of Linux, so people who care enough about freedom to use Linux will tend to care enough about DRMs to not want them on their games.No, not really. I'd say, they are parallel to each other: on GOG there are a lot of pro-DRM-free people who couldn't care less about Linux and here are a lot of locals here who are totally fine with, for example, all Feral-ports tied to Steam and couldn't be launched without Steam-client (some had audacity to call me names for not supporting Steam because my stubbornness to give money to Valve makes me an enemy to all that is Linux in their eyes).
Finally, Galaxy might be heavily marketed by GOG, but they don't force it down our throats. They would have trouble doing so anyways, as Galaxy isn't even available on Linux, and they always offer a Galaxy-free version of their games on Windows. It's a game client, not a DRM, it is and will always stay entirely optional, and that's the point.I emphasized the key word. And I should probably add "yet". Truly, in case of Galaxy on Linux one should beware his/her own wishes.
GOG has third party tiles(sic) supporting Linux yet their first party titles does not what am i suppose to draw from that conclusion... they only want tux bux, but they themselves can't or won't be bothered in growing/developing the gaming community on Linux. I am all for DRM - FREE but what better place to have it than on Linux Os.Well, GOG always had "Zero Effort" approach towards Linux. It was a great victory we (or, most likely, Valve® through its actions) managed to convince GOG to start selling existing Linux versions. Their previous stance was "With so many different distros… blah, blah, blah… Not in a foreseeable future."
Last edited by Alm888 on 22 August 2018 at 11:59 am UTC
1 Likes, Who?
Still angry about them.
A. Witcher 3 and promised Steam OS / Linux compatibility
B. No Galaxy client for linux
A. Witcher 3 and promised Steam OS / Linux compatibility
B. No Galaxy client for linux
6 Likes, Who?
TheRiddick Aug 22, 2018
Some game devs have disabled multiplayer on their GOG release of games, for example No Man's Sky GOG has no MP component.... kinda nasty and should be slapped on the box cover in huge RED text!
3 Likes, Who?
What makes Galaxy worse than any other installer? I see no issue with the default installer program being a sort of installer-updater-client thing if it's not required for running the game itself. So if somebody does I'd like to know why. Feel free to point out obvious elements, because I have no experience with Galaxy whatsoever.Firstly that Galaxy is not very stable. It tends to break with updates. Secondly, the Galaxy will not work on anything older than "Windows 7" which amuses oldfags using "Windows 98" to play "Windows 98" compatible game to no end. You can check GOG's galaxy sub-forums and whishlist for more info.
And thirdly, sometimes it is required to play games (multiplayer support). We, Linux users, get watered-down versions with no multiplayer or don't get those games at all.
1 Likes, Who?
TurtleShark Aug 22, 2018
And my obligatory (so no one could say I am biased towards GOG and against Steam) "And what it has to do with Gaming on Linux?".
Seriously though, I think it is kinda dumb. Instead of improving its own quality GOG thinks it is OK to piss on others.
They preaching about DRM-free while at the same time forcing Galaxy towards everyone's throats.
Well, it's about "Gaming on Linux" ( "gaming" and "linux" ) You do see some updates on SteamOS ( which is not a game ) but is "Linux" and loosely tied to "Gaming." Likewise this is an update on "Gaming" and is loosely tied to "Linux" (anti-DRM).
I mean, if the community is interested in it ( which at the least I am ), then is it really necessary to have some backlash towards it?
1 Likes, Who?
And thirdly, sometimes it is required to play games (multiplayer support). We, Linux users, get watered-down versions with no multiplayer or don't get those games at all.
i dont think the games made this to force you to use gog, its very likely that the game makers dont want too, or cant afford to maintain online multiplayers and deal with all the code that this involves, so they outsourced that part to CDPR, if that is the case, gog is just acting as an "google play services", an service, not an DRM.
its like complaining that you cant register your achievments online without an service provider like steam.
0 Likes
DRM are like advertisements you can't bypass on dvd and bluray each time you launch them. ... and this stupid legal mention not-bypassable saying that copying film is illegal... erg! Yes dude, that's why I bough that bluray.
Meantime the *.avi on the net are without those nuisances. Where's the logic! XD
Meantime the *.avi on the net are without those nuisances. Where's the logic! XD
3 Likes, Who?
Maybe not the best approach, but certainly for a good cause...
Now I have something to link everytime someone asks me what the hell DRM is.
Now I have something to link everytime someone asks me what the hell DRM is.
0 Likes
Doc Angelo Aug 22, 2018
Hm. Not that they're wrong, but this has a strong touch of self-promotion. The "list" of options is a bit sparse, and it doesn't look like they have actually looked into finding more options before launching this page. For example, you can buy DRM free ebooks with ease. At least in Germany, the big online stores do have books without DRM.
I don't mind that they omitted Steam from the list, because you can't see which game doesn't have DRM on Steam in the store page. But that they didn't include Humble Bundle really makes it look like they want to act as if they are the only ones selling DRM free games online.
Everybody knows about Humble Bundle. Don't act like you didn't know, GOG.
Or does that mean that only shops are accepted that are 100% DRM free? If that is true, I demand a shop where you can't buy Windows games.
Last edited by Doc Angelo on 22 August 2018 at 3:30 pm UTC
I don't mind that they omitted Steam from the list, because you can't see which game doesn't have DRM on Steam in the store page. But that they didn't include Humble Bundle really makes it look like they want to act as if they are the only ones selling DRM free games online.
Everybody knows about Humble Bundle. Don't act like you didn't know, GOG.
Or does that mean that only shops are accepted that are 100% DRM free? If that is true, I demand a shop where you can't buy Windows games.
Last edited by Doc Angelo on 22 August 2018 at 3:30 pm UTC
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