I wasn't talking about Steamworks lock-in, which developers can avoid if they wish. It's bad of course. I was talking about requiring to run the client and connecting to the service to install the game. It's step 1 DRM, and no, Steam offers no packages outside the service. Sometimes you can manually copy stuff and reuse, but that's not an official support when the service provides a package (like HB and GOG do). Therefore I consider Steam to be always DRMed.

To clarify, it's not about a burden of logging in anywhere. It's about an ability to install (from a backup for example) and run the game without the service.

View this comment - View article - View full comments

Quoting: Quote from liamdaweWell no, Steam is the most integral part of their entire service, they won't give that up, ever.

So they consider DRM to be the integral part of their service? I really don't see a good reason for that. Convenience of the service in some aspects has nothing to do with restrictions it also adds. I.e. nothing stops Steam from keeping the convenience while dropping the DRM nonsense. Except their unwillingness.

Quoting: Quote from fowllgood thing is that Valve already offer DRM free games. DRM is not a part of steam but a option for developers who require DRM.
try for example "sir, you are being hunted" by double clicking on the ELF file, with steam closed.
the game starts and steam stay closed.

No, they don't. I already explained in the previous threads, that DRM-free means offering standalone packages / installers first (and then of course no additional requirements to run the client for running the game and so on). Steam fails at step one already.

View this comment - View article - View full comments

Quoting: Quote from Half-ShotI wouldn't expect them to give out DRM free games because Steam.

Why? In many cases developers have no objections to DRM-free distribution (and sell the same games on HB and GOG DRM-free for example). It's only Steam service limitations prevent DRM-free options from being offered. So as I said - it's time for Valve to address that. And that would be welcome. Offering games at no charge but with DRM? No, thanks.

View this comment - View article - View full comments

So, can you install and run them without running Steam? I thought it was impossible for any games offered there. To provide DRM-free offerings Valve should address the installation / backup step first.

View this comment - View article - View full comments

If Valve wants to make a positive move, they should start offering DRM free games, rather than "free" games. That would be a welcome step. And it's time for them to address the issue of DRM anyway.

View this comment - View article - View full comments

I really don't like when expansion packs are called DLC. It's such a dumb term, but it caught up for some weird reason...

I guess the original drive behind it was to change the idea of expanding the game with additional quests, extended story line and etc. which are developed over time after the release, to expanding a game with additional features (items, skills etc.) for which the developers would charge extra, while developing everything at the same time as the main game, and just splitting the release to squeeze more money. While expansion pack is a good kind of add-on, DLC (the way I described it) is bad. That's one of the reasons I don't like when real expansion packs (like in this case with Don't Starve) are called DLCs. And also because the term is so non descriptive (obviously created by some "business minds" ).

View this comment - View article - View full comments

I'd be interested to run the upcoming Witcher 3 in Wine (which will be one of the very few DRM free games which use DX11). Unfortunately I doubt Wine will enable DX11 support in time for that (and not only DX11, Witcher 3 will be strictly 64 bit and Wine also lags behind with that). I still hope CDPR will add Linux support to the Witcher sometime after the release, since now with all the SteamOS rise they might pay more attention.

View this comment - View article - View full comments

I played it for a while. Surely it's strongly influenced by the Elder Scrolls. It's not on a level like the Witcher series story wise, and it's not hilariously funny like inXile's Bard's tale. But it has some fun moments, like using a bow while riding on a horse for example.

View this comment - View article - View full comments

I see the Android version was already sold on Humble Bundle. Will they distribute the Linux version through HB as well?

UPDATE: It's already in the Humble Store (DRM free) for $12.49. I just didn't notice it before:
https://www.humblebundle.com/store/p/ravensword_shadowlands_storefront

Good RPG natively on Linux DRM-free? Instant buy.

On a side note, Shadowrun Returns is in the Humble Store now as well (DRM free).

View this comment - View article - View full comments

Great to see them using Debian rather than Ubuntu. It means they don't want to deal with the Mir mess and will go with Wayland in the future.

View this comment - View article - View full comments