I ask this question because it seems to me an increasing amount of Publishers are releasing their DRM Steam\Origin, even ubI games on GOG drm free after a while.

So, is it that Publishers understand most people hate their horrible strict/draconian DRMs, but they figured that they can take the hits of ignoring these people, because many others buy anyway?

Then later when their draconian-tied DRM sales dry up, they say, "Ok, let it go on GOG, we`ll make a little extra moolah, at the least!"

Gog were smart, they saw that people were unhappy about these draconian DRMs and saw a large untapped market, unlike the Publishers at the time.

Draconian has cool music, tho.

Unfortuantely, you seem to be living in make-believe land. Most people don't give a shit about DRM and love Steam to the point of outright refusing to buy non-Steam versions.

Its a ba-a-it. XD

Will I buy on GOG / Humble / itch.io / Direct from developer if a DRM free version is produced? Yes.

Percentage of games that will have this as an option - 1% or less

Most people don't give a damn... and I'm not limiting my options

I am afraid Breja is right. People may hate ubi and even more uplay, ea and origin but steam has definitely more blind followers than haters. Ever heard "no steam no buy"? It's more like religious sect than gaming store.

That and it;s really the only way outside of pirating to obtain those games.

I actually used to enjoy the star wars mmo which is published by Bioware/ EA.

Where is the guy who kept insisting no one cares about DRM?

We need him in here.

I beg to differ - most people (aka "the majority of the gamer population" in this context) don't care about DRM - at least not until it hits them where it hurts. Is he trying to fool the cyclops perhaps?

I'm not kidding. :P The guy went on a real tear about what bullshit "DRM Free" is.

I wish that was the case - what Ubisoft are doing is just working on brand recognition, otherwise we'd have already seen AC2, 3 and the other old ones published on GOG already.
They're still pretty much invested into their Uplay service and openly follow the tactic of luring people into their service by releasing a wel-made new IP (or licensed IP that gets a fresh start) and then releasing the sequel that REQUIRES you to register your account in Uplay. At least, that's what happened with South Park - Stick of Truth / South Park - Fractured But Whole and Rayman Origins / Rayman Legends and, seemingly, the same case is relevant for AC1 being sacrificed to a DRM-free release: they're only doing it to cover more audience and lure new players potentially interested in getting the rest of the series.

Bottom line is: AAA publishers will never give up very enticing idea (for many business-related reasons) of complete post-sale control over the product they sold and, to do so, they will do anything in their power to tie their live IP they're actively working on, to their services. So, it's not so much about copyright control as about getting direct access to your customers to further analyze them and their habits.

P.S.
The rest are publishing on Steam by default, as they've gained some serious traction over the years of ludicrous summer/winter sales and constantly expanding steam client features.

Yeah, fight fight fight!

And so the circle closes. The bone dead stupidity of this approach is almost painful.

"Woe is us, there are so few DRM-free releases! >proceeds to throw money at DRM-ed games<"

Because I'm bored and we're between WC matches, allow me to quote him:

"People dont give 2 shits about DRM in their games aside for the fact that it has a negative reputation. DRM is like gluten, everyone says its bad but nobody really gives a shit about eating some.

People who would vote 'DRM free' would most likely be sheeps that dont even know what DRM stands for."

Are they still around or have they finished their little troll cycle?