Steam and DRM

[Isaac]

I prefer to have my games on steam.

I'm glad you're providing other methods too.

Steam does allow you to install non Steam games to the library doesn't it?

[Kurpitsa]

Steam does allow you to install non Steam games to the library doesn't it?

Yeah, but it says they're not Steam games when you start playing. You can even add programs, like notepad or paint.

[Isaac]

You can even add programs, like notepad or paint.

Valve will see Steam become the Windows shell if we let them.

** I bet many would actually take them up on it if they offered it as an option.

[Grock]

I'm looking forward to Grimrock for many reasons and looking forward to buying it for those reasons and more, though want to get something off my chest I personally consider most important at this point, as a potential customer.

While Steam is popular and an obvious choice for digital distribution because of that, for myself and others it either isn't an option or a remotely acceptable option. I know people without internet access and though I have access I do not pay for any offline software that requires internet access, ie online DRM, which doesn't hamper anyone except customers anyway (that's one way to say it). I do not pay for anything that can be remotely deactivated or otherwise rendered useless deliberately, inadvertently or due to unforeseen consequences related to internet access. If I pay for software or a game I expect to play it whenever and wherever I please, it is as much a matter of principal as it is caution to protect myself against anti-customer treatment or companies. I feel I must at this point also say attaching mandatory online features to an otherwise offline game is also DRM, no PR spindoctoring will change that.

I simply won't pay for something unless I have no doubt I can play it over a decade later as I replayed Red Alert 2 two weeks ago and can with no doubt replay it again in another decade.

I don't mind unobtrusive and reliable DRM such as having to enter my serial, which has proven as effective as any other DRM so far but with the least pain and if you released it on something like GOG.com I would eagerly snatch up Grimrock, presuming the price is fair of course. I can already picture it's icon on my GOG bookshelf along with other games there some of which I've payed for twice now due to wanting a GOG version as well as my old disc version.

Your product will be "pirated". Though how many you push towards that is up to you, treat me like that and I will happily become one, treat someone like an enemy and you will create one.

Whether I get to see Grimrock on GOG or via some other user friendly way I wish you the best of luck, so far. Not just because Grimrock looks great, like a vibrant splash of nostalgia from a gametype that was oddly or rather wrongly abandoned but also because of how you're making it, your ideal if you will. Almost as if you're doing it to make a good game, creating something you're proud of an want to share while enjoying the process. Remember those games?

[webduck]

Steams not to everyones taste, will be good if we can have a standalone install.

[glyn_ie]

I'm happy with Steam too. It's a nice system and I like not having to search around for discs and stuff to install and play a game. It's very convenient, and my games are always backed up and up-to-date. Plus there are extra bonuses such as achievements and the ease of setting up multi-player games.

DRM however, I find highly irritating. You can never stop people from cracking it, so putting copy protection into games is a waste of time in my eyes, and typically only serves to be a nuisance for paying consumers. If someone's determined to rip something off, they will.

[nackidno]

I think it's safe to say that LoG will not be Steam exclusive.

Awesome. I am a Steam user myself but some games just doesn't suit Steam IMO (like Skyrim, FO:NV, Deus Ex 3 to name a few) I use Steam to connect with people I play together with online, not to use it as a games library, I can manage my applications myself thank you.

[CryptoCactus]

I have tons of Steam games (I'm in too deep to go back now!), but I do enjoy buying games through other distributors more. GOG, as mentioned, is a truly great one. GamersGate has been pretty good to me too, and they have a pretty good selection of DRM-free games as well (and a DRM-free search/browse filter). There's also Desura, but I've only recently started using that for Source mods, so I'm not sure how good it is or how it handles DRM in the actual games it sells.

[Renevent]

Gamersgate is awesome...their blue coin system is really great. I've gotten quite a few free games that way, and considering most of the time I purchase from them they are the cheapest anyways, it's really a no brain-er.

[Sol_HSA]

I don't mind unobtrusive and reliable DRM such as having to enter my serial, which has proven as effective as any other DRM so far(...)

Personally, I find steam's DRM far less unobtrusive and reliable than serial codes. Serial codes are one of the reasons I'd try to (and have, in the past) find cracks for games I've bought physical copies for.

With steam, it just works. Of course I can't resell it or share the serial with couple thousand of my best pals, but that's life I guess.

After installing a game in steam you can set the game into local mode so you don't need net connection. Or so I've come to understand. Never needed it myself.

Always online DRM for single-player games.. that's something that totally pisses me off.