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Kristian: Since when isn't GFWL DRM? For one thing it stops a game working for me at all.
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jamyskis: A technology causing a game to stop working doesn't make it necessarily DRM. GFWL has DRM functionality, but it is not inherently DRM. Arkham Asylum does not use the DRM - it can be run without an online connection. Arkham City does.

Or should I call PhysX DRM? After all, that prevented certain games from running at my end as well.

Besides, I've pretty clearly laid out the definition of DRM for the purpose of this list above.
No but when the reason it doesn't work is your geographical location then yeah it is DRM.
World in Conflict had Targes, but it was removed after a patch.
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Kristian: No but when the reason it doesn't work is your geographical location then yeah it is DRM.
Why are you creating an online profile?
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Kristian: No but when the reason it doesn't work is your geographical location then yeah it is DRM.
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jamyskis: Why are you creating an online profile?
How is that supposed to work? I have been boycotting the thing since an incident involving GOW PC, GFWL and an ATI graphics card caused the laptop I had back then to malfunction.


Edit:

Also isn't there a HARD install limit of 15 installs that MS will refuse to reset no matter what, even if the developer/publisher instructs them otherwise?

I refuse to believe the retail version of Arkham Asylum would work here when I am barred from even seeing the game on Steam.
Post edited May 31, 2013 by Kristian
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Kristian: How is that supposed to work? I have been boycotting the thing since an incident involving GOW PC, GFWL and an ATI graphics card caused the laptop I had back then to malfunction.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulVRWweWbp0

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Kristian: Also isn't there a HARD install limit of 15 installs that MS will refuse to reset no matter what, even if the developer/publisher instructs them otherwise?
Some games did. Microsoft would grant you a one-time reset of this and that was all you would get. Certainly not Microsoft's finest moment. That being said, I don't know of any games that required an online connection through GFWL and had this 15-install limit. If a game required authentication through GFWL, it would generally be the Steam-type account binding variant.

Of course, in that particular case, GFWL is a problem if you're in an unsupported country. But Arkham Asylum doesn't fall under that category. I've installed and played the game without ever connecting to Microsoft and it ever knowing which country I'm in (I know this because I installed it on my PC to play when we moved house and had no internet connection).

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Kristian: I refuse to believe the retail version of Arkham Asylum would work here when I am barred from even seeing the game on Steam.
That's Steam's fault if Steam doesn't show the game in your region. The game itself will run fine in an unsupported country through an offline profile.
Post edited May 31, 2013 by jamyskis
From Australia, I can confirm:

- Limbo

Completely DRM-Free.

- Amnesia - The Dark Descent

Activation code required (Given on a piece of paper where the manual is normally placed), but no Internet access required.

- Rayman Origins

Completely DRM-Free... AND NOW AVAILABLE ON GOG!

I have tested each of these by saving a copy to my hard drive, removing the discs, disconnecting from the Internet, and then installing.

I really appreciate what you are doing with this list, and hope to extend it (as I only purchase DRM-free games).

I have seen The Walking Dead in stores and noticed that it states nothing about requiring an Internet connection on the back of its cover. Can anyone confirm its DRM content? Apparently, it's DRM-free as a digital download from the Telltale website...
Not sure if followed up in a post, but:

Titan Quest and expansion are DRM-Free. (At least, the retail, boxed versions in the U.S. are).

Edit:
And I can confirm, as someone else mentioned, that Diablo 1 and 2 boxed retail U.S. version are DRM-free as well. You only to go online if you want to play via their own connection service, which is to be expected. Single and lan play are DRM-free.
Post edited June 14, 2013 by user deleted
The latest Brothers in Arms game, Hell's Highway, is DRM-free.
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jamyskis: .... a list of DRM-free games that are available in retail....
Nvm, I overlooked the important detail :).
Post edited June 14, 2013 by Mivas
I don't know if these have been mentioned yet, but two more games:

1. The retail version of The Walking Dead is apparently DRM-free at least in the U.S. (the Best Buy-exclusive one), but it won't be compatible with the 400 Days DLC.

2. The EA Value Games version of the first Mass Effect from Europe CAN be DRM-free, in a way: Upon installation, there's a file in the installation directory called "paul.dll." If that file is deleted, the DRM changes from an online verification to a simple disc check, meaning you can install it on an unlimited amount of machines and never need to connect to the Internet for any reason. This DOES NOT WORK in the U.S. version of Mass Effect, despite "paul.dll" also being present. (An error appears always claiming that you have the wrong disc in the drive.)

For anyone who happens to have the Value Games version of Dead Space, I'm curious to see if the "paul.dll" trick works in that one, too, because it doesn't in the U.S. version.
Post edited July 03, 2013 by pedrovay2003
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pedrovay2003: 1. The retail version of The Walking Dead is apparently DRM-free at least in the U.S. (the Best Buy-exclusive one), but it won't be compatible with the 400 Days DLC.
I've got the retail version of Walking Dead (but not played it yet), so I'll have to check this when I can. Thanks :)

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pedrovay2003: 2. The EA Value Games version of the first Mass Effect from Europe CAN be DRM-free, in a way: Upon installation, there's a file in the installation directory called "paul.dll." If that file is deleted, the DRM changes from an online verification to a simple disc check, meaning you can install it on an unlimited amount of machines and never need to connect to the Internet for any reason. This DOES NOT WORK in the U.S. version of Mass Effect, despite "paul.dll" also being present. (An error appears always claiming that you have the wrong disc in the drive.)

For anyone who happens to have the Value Games version of Dead Space, I'm curious to see if the "paul.dll" trick works in that one, too, because it doesn't in the U.S. version.
Now THIS is interesting.

I personally don't have the EA Value Games version, I have the EA Classics edition (yellow cover instead of orange one), but I will have to see if this trick works.
Post edited July 04, 2013 by jamyskis
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jamyskis: Now THIS is interesting.

I personally don't have the EA Value Games version, I have the EA Classics edition (yellow cover instead of orange one), but I will have to see if this trick works.
It's crazy, isn't it? I don't know if it's an older version of SecuROM or a NEWER one, since the Value Games version obviously came after the original one. That's why I want to see if Dead Space works the same way; I vastly preferred it on the PC to consoles, so a DRM-free copy would be amazing.

Also, one more game: Transformers - War for Cybertron is DRM-free in the U.S.
Post edited July 04, 2013 by pedrovay2003
'Bout time I updated this methinks, so:

Added:
Jack Keane: The Fire Within
The Walking Dead
Lego Batman 2
Operation Flashpoint: Red River
Distant Worlds
The Book of Unwritten Tales: The Critter Chronicles (Germany)
F1 2011
Prototype (World) [thanks to Grargar]
Medal of Honor (2010, World) [thanks to Bavarian]
Transformers: War on Cybertron [thanks to pedrovay2003]

Updated:
Added note on new DRM in Euro Truck Simulator 2
Updated Limbo and Amnesia: The Dark Descent [thanks to deanf]
Added US version of The Walking Dead [thanks to pedrovay2003]
Post edited October 20, 2013 by jamyskis
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jamyskis: Operation Flashpoint: Red River
Now I'm confused. Are you shure about this? Have you checked it for yourself? Or where did you get this information from?

I remember when the system requirements were revealed, they said it has to be activated online. Also the printed text on the back of the case says "Internet connection required for game activation". Then again OGDB (a quite reliable source for DRM infos) says online activation is only required for multiplayer.

If that's the case I'm going to store my (still sealed) PS3 version and grab me a PC version. It's dirty cheap after all.
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Bavarian: Now I'm confused. Are you shure about this? Have you checked it for yourself? Or where did you get this information from?

I remember when the system requirements were revealed, they said it has to be activated online. Also the printed text on the back of the case says "Internet connection required for game activation". Then again OGDB (a quite reliable source for DRM infos) says online activation is only required for multiplayer.

If that's the case I'm going to store my (still sealed) PS3 version and grab me a PC version. It's dirty cheap after all.
Yep. I was fairly sceptical myself initially, and I know the original boxes said that the game required online activation. This was incorrect, and the new "Hammerpreis" editions going for 10,- € don't have this remark.

I've tested it, and the game can be installed and started in an offline GFWL profile without ever having connected to the internet.

To play online though, as you say, the game DOES require a key attached to a GFWL account. Mind you, given that nobody is actually playing it anyway, it's a moot point.