Posted June 27, 2015
Ciris: The problem here is that we introduced a universal CD Key of sorts into the game so that it would effectively be rid of DRM, however, it seems that it has been banned by the developer once again (this is what caused previous problems with this title).
russellskanne: This is unacteptable GOG. The game shouldn't have to phone home in the first place to check for a valid cd key. This is DRM. If the developer insisists on this kind of crap then remove it from your store. Period.
I am glad to hear that GOG is looking into this and ultimately I trust GOG to solve the problem PROPERLY by removing the DRM completely. I don't want a universal CD key being checked online any more than anyone else does. That is just not DRM-free. If the developer of this game does not bring it into true DRM-free status on GOG, I for one wont buy any more of their games here or anywhere else just on principle and I suspect many others will do the same.
I don't have a problem with DRM related DLL files being present in a game's package but neutered through software hacks or switches so long as the DRM itself is completely neutralized and does not interfere with the game being played DRM-free nor interfere with the operation of other games or software or the computer it is running on. Some people are sensitive about such files even existing, but if they're completely inert 100% and just a "stub" to make the executable work without requiring source code modification and a recompile, I know some game shops are lazy asses and take this approach rather than properly cleaning their games up when going DRM-free, and if the DRM is truly disabled and inert it's just "an ugly but truly functional hack" and I wont be pedantic about it as some are.
But auto-phone-home to validate stuff is a completely different story. I make exceptions for keys needed for multiplayer personally because I understand the technical issues with selling games on different platforms and wanting a unified multiplayer experience rather than fragmenting into separate DRM-included and DRM-free multiplayer services so long as such does not in any way affect the single player experience and no single player options are made available only if using a key.
But from what I read here, this very definitely is in violation of the store's DRM-free stance, but more importantly in violation of the principle of DRM-free as a general value.
For now, I will give both GOG and the developer the benefit of doubt though that this is just an unintended goofup that came about by laziness and accepting temporary substandard solutions that have ended up sticking around longer than intended and are now going to be fixed properly or the game pulled from the store with either refunds or store credit for the game's policy non-compliance.
To the developer: Please do the right consumer friendly thing. Do it and you get a free pass and clear slate with me anyway. Do the wrong thing and screw gamers and you join Ubisoft and EA on my "dead to me" list of companies to boycott though. Now it's time to let your customer support people and policies shine and earn everyone's trust.