It's not DRM, and isn't a note for this thread's top post, but so everyone's informed [since it may come up in discussions regarding the topic]... It's just adjacent shitty behavior from the publisher.

The Mafia Trilogy remasters released on GOG without some of the DRMed content because the publisher couldn't be assed to de-DRM it.
https://www.gog.com/forum/general/impossible_the_gog_sale_begins_b2d24/post18

Thanks for the warning!

You might report this in the 'Second Class Citizen' thread, since it is a clear disparity between the GOG release and other releases.

https://www.gog.com/forum/general/games_that_treat_gog_customers_as_second_class_citizens_v2/page1

There was an update for "Fishing" yesterday (at least on Galaxy) so I hopped it might have been a fix for the DLC issue. But I tested it and no, the DLC still doesn't work if Galaxy is not running, I don't know what else they updated.

Thank you for keeping us updated

Ahoi. The issue with Starsand isn't described correctly. The outgreyed button (without Galaxy running) disappears after some seconds and the game actualy can be started without Galaxy.

BUT the game checks for "Galaxy Communication Service" when loading a savegame, too, and is detected as "demo" (or "pirated") when the service isn't running (that's what Devs/Supporters told on Discord). You'll start on the very beginning of the map and your inventory is gone. Running Galaxy in the background will bring your Items / savepoint back.

At least this has been the status two months ago Starsand Forum Thread . I can't test it anymore because i got a refund because of this. (If someone is testing: Please note that Galaxy Communication Service will keep running in the background a few minutes after closing Galaxy...)

Devs told to look into this and I'd be happy if it has been solved.

Thank you for the correction. Still, checking for legitimate ownership is DRM. So the entire game is still DRM-ed.

Please tell us if the devs tell you that it is solved.

To think that GOG built the Galaxy API with a function that has no legitimate use. (DRM is an illegitimate use.)

Yes. That shows what they want Galaxy for, eventually.

Was the issue with Starsand already reported to the support?
If so, what did they said on the topic?

Yes. It was reported in January. They are 'looking into it' ... to no avail, so far.

I'm getting tired of the reactions of some people.

Those who think that others are liars because the game is functional on their own. NO SIR.
Those who explain that it is not DRM(s), just an activation problem. NO SIR.
Those who explain that the gray button is not necessarily gray and that you can launch the game anyway. NO SIR.

On a PC that has never been connected, it is unstoppable, except for technical problems (drivers, updates and others).

To be quite clear, a game that doesn't start, who cares if the water is cold, warm or hot. it's functional or not.
Here you have people who report problems, others who take the time to keep a list and some who push GoG to react.

And this is for the benefit of all.
You should stand together and support, because tomorrow Galaxy might be mandatory.

It's GoG that displays "DRM FREE" on every product page and and addon. I maintain that since 2010 and after several years of exchange with them, they don't care about patches and DRM Free and not only a little.

You will get what you deserve.



Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

One more: ""Prison Tycoon: Under New Management""

The main game is DRM-free
None of the addons are present in the game after installation on an offline PC.
The developer has been informed = No answer.
GoG has been informed = No answer.

I'm not sure if GoG support is aware that there is still a problem with Starsand. It could be that the greyed out button thing was considered solved (because (now?) it does disappear and the game starts first).

On the other issue (loading Savegames), I had only talked to the game devs in June. Since the following refund, however, I have had no more contact. Non-optional Galaxy is not an option for me...

Ah, OK. Then I'll report the issue to support.
Thank you. I'll add it to the list.

Thank you for reporting, I would do this myself, but because the this issue I never bought Starsand.