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General discussionThe Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings Digital Premium Edition to be DRM-Free only on GOG.com(113 posts)(113 posts)
(113 posts)
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This is my favourite topic
Posted March 14, 2011
We're happy to announce GOG's version of highly-anticipated RPG will not contain DRM as all other downloadable versions will.

With the exception from the "good, old games" rule by offering The Witcher 2, we wanted to transfer all the GOG values to a new AAA title. Thanks to a close cooperation with our sister company CD Projekt RED, the developer of The Witcher franchise, we've managed to get the best deal for the digital edition of the game. With today's announcement of GOG's version being the only one fully DRM-free in digital download, the deal gets even more unrivaled! We stated from the very beginning, DRM isn't an efficient way to combat piracy and we mean it.

But wait, there's even more cool stuff about The Witcher 2 on GOG. For all users who preorder the game on GOG, we'll host a live video Q&A on Ustream with Senior Producer of The Witcher 2, Tomasz Gop. The Q&A will take place on Friday, March 18th, at 17:00 GMT and during the Q&A, Tomasz will be revealing some exclusive “Making of the new Geralt” concept art and discussing the changes in the fighting mechanic from the original game.

How do you get access to the Q&A? That's easy, everyone who preorders The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings on GOG.com by noon GMT on Thursday the 17th will receive a link and a password that will allow them to take part in the session and ask questions about The Witcher 2 and GOG.com. Everyone whose questions get answered will receive one coupon for a free GOG game.
Posted March 14, 2011
I'm getting the GOG version because it's DRM-free. Normally, I'd pirate the game, try it, then buy the boxed set if I like what I see, because international shipping costs an arm and a leg, and I only have two of each, you know.
Posted March 14, 2011
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Davane: This seems like a big risk for Good Old Games to take - being the only source of DRM free download makes it a very obvious skapegoat should the Witcher 2 become pirated to any extent.

Should it work out, it will revolutionise DRM and show that DRM isn't working, but it could very well backfire, meaning that publishers could stop working with Good Old Games if just a few people engage in piracy for piracy sake.

There have been many discussions on piracy, and when it comes to piracy, those who advocate piracy are split into two camps: those who do it because they can, and those who feel they have legitimate reasons to justify piracy. Good Old Games does much to alleviate the latter - but the former still exists.

What makes it worse is that those who advocate against piracy do not see the distinction between the two pro-piracy camps, and will often associate all pro-piracy advocates as being of the former, which is often why DRM is so draconian. They believe pirates are monsters, rather than people with actual concerns that turn to piracy to address those concerns.

I've not preordered Witcher 2, largely since current AAA titles are very risky purchases for me - but I can't help but feel that if a company is letting one version go without DRM and the others will have it, then with the exception of any integrated DRM necessary for their distribution (for example, Steam IS also DRM, so nothing on Steam will ever be DRM-free), I can't help but get the impression that they are essentially marking it's cards, and trying to throw it to the wolves.
If I recall correctly, I remember reading an article stating that CD Projeckt Red would prefer to keep The Witcher 2 DRM-free, but such a decision would be up to Atari, the game's publisher. It's obvious by the announcement that, if the statement I previously made is true, Atari said "The Witcher 2 must have DRM." Since CD Projeckt Red can self-publish the game through GOG.com, they can still (somewhat) keep their commitment to no-DRM gaming while simultaneously satisfying Atari's DRM requirement.
Posted March 14, 2011
Being a GOG supporter is great, isn't it?

They're still in business because of us so they get to provide the "honor system" version of this game to us lucky few.

Pat yourselves on the back, mates!
Posted March 14, 2011
Good.

Just a (bit unrelated) question:

I'd like to play witcher1 before witcher2, but I would like to buy it on gog (it's just the best platform to buy games out there. period), mainly because it would be drm-free (obviously provided the price is not noticeably higher than other solutions). I have very little time to play games, so I cannot wait too much (being witcher1 also a long game).
I hoped you released it soon after the announcement of witcher2 preorder, but it didn't happen.
So please could you give us just a hint if you're going to release it anytime soon? Otherwise I'll need to look elsewhere.

Thanks
Posted March 14, 2011
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lrmcba: "With today's announcement of GOG's version being the only one fully DRM-free in digital download"

Sorry but this is not true.
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TheEnigmaticT: I just asked the CDP Red guys; every other downloadable edition of The Witcher 2 will have DRM. I can't speak for boxed copies, but it's confirmed for the downloadable Digital Premium Edition.
HEHE, its curious right? before post this topic, on the direct2drive website they said
"DRM Free game" and now the logo "DRM Free" is not longer. :) Now i can agree with
you, the only one available its gog version :) i will preorder bcuz i wanna play
without restrictions.
Posted March 14, 2011
So...what is the DRM for the Retail version?
Posted March 14, 2011
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lrmcba:
What restrictions exactly?
Posted March 14, 2011
The weird layers of hypocrisy in this entire thing is kind of baffling. Yes, I understand the desire to make the version where you would get the most profit (because you happen to own the digital distribution platform that you are releasing it on) to be the most desirable one, but hanging the "threat" of DRM over people's heads if they don't buy the GOG version? Kind of shady, but I guess that's only a threat if you care a bunch about DRM.

Also, if this game has a big issue with piracy when it comes out, at least we'll know why and from what source. It's at least an interesting experiment on CD Projekt's part.
Posted March 14, 2011
Already cancelled my pre-ordered physical version.
Guess i'll go with the GOG version and pick up the physical one second hand.
Not about to play spot the drm with the physical copy.
The most drm i will put with is either a cd check and/or serial number key, no phoning home/internet connection/msn live gaming/rockstar club/securom etc for a single player offline game, i dont even put up with anything more for some of the MMOs i play and multiplayer FPS games (ok its old school fps, most modern fps i have but havent installed is Enemy Territory Quake Wars which was a gift)
Posted March 14, 2011
Personally, I do not see the issue with where the game comes from in terms of piracy. Whether here or through another service, what does it matter? The game, as all games are, will be pirated regardless of location and protection method. Also, a majority of games are leaked before release, so more than likely it will be from a printed copy.

For me, the only real issue is getting enough paying customers to support the game. Piracy sucks, but as we all know there is little that can be done about those who choose that route. Showing there are more supporters than pirates would be a much bigger issue. Seeing CD Projekt recover their investment and make a profit would be quite a victory, in my opinion. It would make a clear and highly visible statement by the community that DRM-free titles can succeed, and the PC market is alive and very healthy. I pray that to be the case with this game, and I would absolutely love to see gaming headlines displaying such news.

As for the "threat" of DRM if you purchase elsewhere, I simply do not see it that way. I just see it as an added bonus if you purchase from the source. Two services would have already had DRM on the game anyway due to using a client, and for all we know publishers could be pushing DRM elsewhere. For example, Atari seems to be in control of the Gamersgate release, so it could very well be out of GOG/CD Projekt's hands.
Posted March 14, 2011
I'll echo the same question that thus far seems unanswered: What DRM will the retail copy have? I really, really want that awesome Collector's Edition, but I'm not about to fool with asinine DRM that makes me jump through hoops and sacrifice my first born child just because I have the sheer audacity to want to play I game I legally purchased. Buying both the GoG version AND the Collector's Edition simply isn't viable for me. I'm a college student with other geeky, expensive hobbies besides video games. I already need to save up just to get the Collector's Edition, I sure can't afford to fork out for another copy of the game just to ensure that I won't have to deal with some sort of retarded DRM.

So, what will the retail copy have? I'd like to know soon so, if it is too annoying, I can just pre-order the GoG version right now.
Post edited March 14, 2011 by Raven28256
Posted March 14, 2011
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lrmcba:
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KavazovAngel: What restrictions exactly?
all about the kind of protection, activations, etc..
Posted March 14, 2011
I am buying The Witcher 2 from gog, even though I never finished The Witcher, and didnt like it very much anyway (I am 99% a FPS gamer).
But, I will buy The Witcher 2 just to support DRM free gaming, and gog itself.

Thanks gog.
Now, all you have to do please me further (only if you guys want to), is make a drm free fps game.
:D
Hehehe
Posted March 14, 2011
any news on what the drm will be specially on the steam version?
Posted March 14, 2011
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Davane: This seems like a big risk for Good Old Games to take - being the only source of DRM free download makes it a very obvious skapegoat should the Witcher 2 become pirated to any extent.
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Miaghstir: Blaming yourself is still better than trying to blame someone else while they claim to have done nothing wrong, isn't it?
I'll admit to the greater extent that would hold true, but there is on the lesser extent the ability for this to become something of an enhancer for GOG.

If enough word gets out to people who are already looking to purchase, who have NOT already preordered from other places and hence are not bound by contract to purchase from anouther vendor it could be very good.
If these people come on board to GOG in order to purchase the game legally with a focus on there being NoDRM, it would in fact be a win for GOG.com in their stance on having no DRM.

So what we as loyal minions of GOG should do is set out to get the word out to everyone we know that, they won't have to purchase DRM with their copy of the witcher.

Phrased like that one can make a compelling argument, though you will no doubt come up against the argument for physical copies.

How you get around this isn't really your problem, it's cdprojects for not foreseeing this consumer demand and providing adequate reason for these people to jump ship.
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This is my favourite topic
Community
General discussionThe Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings Digital Premium Edition to be DRM-Free only on GOG.com(113 posts)(113 posts)
(113 posts)
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