It seems that you're using an outdated browser. Some things may not work as they should (or don't work at all).
We suggest you upgrade newer and better browser like: Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer or Opera

×
avatar
neurasthenya: "One of the oldest and least complicated DRM protection methods for the computer games is a product key, a typically alphanumerical serial number used to represent a license to a particular piece of software. During the installation process for the software, the user is asked to input the key; if the key correctly corresponds to a valid license (typically via internal algorithms), the key is accepted, and installation can continue. In modern practice, product keys are typically combined with other DRM practices (such as online "activation"), as the software could be cracked to run without a product key, or "keygen" programs could be developed to generate keys that would be accepted."

Also:

"Some of mine were printed on the Jewel Case and therefore aren't digital at all"

The program for which the key is used is.
What exactly are you quoting? Customarily links are included.

Also, by your definition, GOG itself is DRM since they manage my digital right to access my games. Without logging into my account, my games are inaccessible to me. Of course then the arguments go further. No, we have to draw the line somewhere. And for me personally, that point is where my games are dependent on an external server of any sort to operate. Anything self contained with my media at purchase that doesn't require online verification with some online database of legit codes is perfectly fine. Anything that doesn't prevent me from using the software that I purchased is great.
avatar
neurasthenya: "One of the oldest and least complicated DRM protection methods for the computer games is a product key, a typically alphanumerical serial number used to represent a license to a particular piece of software. During the installation process for the software, the user is asked to input the key; if the key correctly corresponds to a valid license (typically via internal algorithms), the key is accepted, and installation can continue. In modern practice, product keys are typically combined with other DRM practices (such as online "activation"), as the software could be cracked to run without a product key, or "keygen" programs could be developed to generate keys that would be accepted."

Also:

"Some of mine were printed on the Jewel Case and therefore aren't digital at all"

The program for which the key is used is.
avatar
paladin181: What exactly are you quoting? Customarily links are included.

Also, by your definition, GOG itself is DRM since they manage my digital right to access my games. Without logging into my account, my games are inaccessible to me. Of course then the arguments go further. No, we have to draw the line somewhere. And for me personally, that point is where my games are dependent on an external server of any sort to operate. Anything self contained with my media at purchase that doesn't require online verification with some online database of legit codes is perfectly fine. Anything that doesn't prevent me from using the software that I purchased is great.
Nah that is the original definition. GOG did have DRM since they manage our digital rights to access games.

However the term is kept threw around and redefine to mean things each people want. Hence these confusion.

I would prefer people use Doesn't Rape Me after I pay as opposed the large definition of Digital Rights Management.
Nom nom nom.
Attachments:
avatar
tinyE: It means no "Losing my Religion", no "Stand", no "Shiny Happy People", no....

Oh wait, that's what REM-FREE means.
I though REM-free was a type of sleep after having drunk too much whisky.

Or programming languages other than BASIC...
avatar
neurasthenya: "One of the oldest and least complicated DRM protection methods for the computer games is a product key, a typically alphanumerical serial number used to represent a license to a particular piece of software. During the installation process for the software, the user is asked to input the key; if the key correctly corresponds to a valid license (typically via internal algorithms), the key is accepted, and installation can continue. In modern practice, product keys are typically combined with other DRM practices (such as online "activation"), as the software could be cracked to run without a product key, or "keygen" programs could be developed to generate keys that would be accepted."

Also:

"Some of mine were printed on the Jewel Case and therefore aren't digital at all"

The program for which the key is used is.
avatar
paladin181: What exactly are you quoting? Customarily links are included.

Also, by your definition, GOG itself is DRM since they manage my digital right to access my games. Without logging into my account, my games are inaccessible to me. Of course then the arguments go further. No, we have to draw the line somewhere. And for me personally, that point is where my games are dependent on an external server of any sort to operate. Anything self contained with my media at purchase that doesn't require online verification with some online database of legit codes is perfectly fine. Anything that doesn't prevent me from using the software that I purchased is great.
I guess wikipedia. The D in DRM is referring to the product, not the copy protection. The dial-a-pirate paper cutout from Monkey Island is DRM since Monkey Island is digital. But besides that I agree, in some cases it streches too far. While technically the way you get gog games can be described as a form of DRM I'd say its that only by accident since the technological requirement to get that game at all and gogs service on top requires basic elements (i.e. account management) that are similar to online DRM. The difference to the pirate wheel is that this is intentional DRM while gog just subject to the digital medium.

I see gog analogous to go into the shop, buy the game and go home with it (DL the installer exe).
avatar
paladin181: What exactly are you quoting? Customarily links are included.

Also, by your definition, GOG itself is DRM since they manage my digital right to access my games. Without logging into my account, my games are inaccessible to me. Of course then the arguments go further. No, we have to draw the line somewhere. And for me personally, that point is where my games are dependent on an external server of any sort to operate. Anything self contained with my media at purchase that doesn't require online verification with some online database of legit codes is perfectly fine. Anything that doesn't prevent me from using the software that I purchased is great.
avatar
Gnostic: Nah that is the original definition. GOG did have DRM since they manage our digital rights to access games.

However the term is kept threw around and redefine to mean things each people want. Hence these confusion.

I would prefer people use Doesn't Rape Me after I pay as opposed the large definition of Digital Rights Management.
But thats not different to a store that manages access to the big shelf of games you can buy. With the installer you do not need the account anymore. You might want to use it; its convenient to use it; you might loose your offline archive and be thankful "that the store kept a copy of all the games you bought there" ie have an account to go back to. But you do not need too.
Post edited August 12, 2016 by anothername
high rated
avatar
CosmicVoyagerX: DRM is copyright protection. One of the oldest DRM protection methods is a product key.
DRM is Digital Rights Management, ways trying to manage (restrict) your usage of a product after the purchase.

A product key in itself is not DRM unless it is somehow e.g. authenticated online before you can use the product. If it is not, then it is in no way restricting how, where or when you can use the product.

Some GOG games can be considered to have multiplayer DRM, requiring even an online account to play multiplayer online. So yes you should consider the DRM-freeness of GOG games to pertain to the single-player part of a game (and yes maybe GOG should also clarify that somewhere, if not for other reason but to stop these same discussions popping up every few weeks). With multiplayer part it varies; some games may have an option for DRM-free multiplayer as well, for some the multiplayer part has been made inert in the GOG version (because the multiplayer would work only e.g. in Steam) etc.

I guess there is a general consensus that a game can be considered DRM-free as long as its single-player part doesn't require online authentication or other restrictions to playing it. For instance, these Steam games are considered DRM-free even though their multiplayer part requires a Steam account, it is only the single-player part that is DRM-free. Also I am pretty sure e.g. Humble Bundle/Store is marketing DRM-free games where it pertains only to the single-player part.

I personally even prefer DRM in online multiplayer because it is the only feasible way to ban cheaters from destroying other people's fun. So DRM in online multiplayer even benefits me as a gamer. I am not against the game having also other (DRM-free?) options for multiplayer as well, like local co-op, LAN play, direct IP and whatever there are...

Single-player, I want DRM-free, there I don't have to care about other people possibly ruining my fun with cheating. There I care only that I can run the game even if the store/service from where I bought the game is closed down or inaccessible. There I don't see how DRM would benefit me (and no, requiring an online account for optional features like cloud saving, achievements tracking, leaderboards etc. is not DRM, as "optional DRM" is an oxymoron).
Post edited August 12, 2016 by timppu
It means FREE from DRM.

Ba Dum Tss!
avatar
amrit9037: It means FREE from DRM.

Ba Dum Tss!
Brilliance.
avatar
Gnostic: Nah that is the original definition. GOG did have DRM since they manage our digital rights to access games.

However the term is kept threw around and redefine to mean things each people want. Hence these confusion.

I would prefer people use Doesn't Rape Me after I pay as opposed the large definition of Digital Rights Management.
avatar
anothername: But thats not different to a store that manages access to the big shelf of games you can buy. With the installer you do not need the account anymore. You might want to use it; its convenient to use it; you might loose your offline archive and be thankful "that the store kept a copy of all the games you bought there" ie have an account to go back to. But you do not need too.
Nah, I am not saying it is wrong or anything.

I am just saying the DRM definition is much larger that want the usual people means, but too many people use DRM to mean a small subset of what it means, so people confused DRM into the smaller subset of what the original DRM definition.
If cd keys are not your thing, we could always return to the glory days of those blasted pinwheel things to match a codeword to it's answer, type a certsin word from a certain page of a physical manual and other such attrocities.

No matter how one defines it, drm is nowhere near as obnoxious as it once was.
avatar
paigosa: ...No matter how one defines it, drm is nowhere near as obnoxious as it once was.
What is so obnoxious about pinwheels and manuals? I always thought this is part of the game.

However try to start Steam without an internet connection and you see that DRM just nicely throws a small popup in your face that tells you that now is not the time for gaming. I had it (unwantedly) and it wasn't a nice experience. Definitely increases the blood pressure (which if only happening occasionally might be a good thing even).
avatar
CosmicVoyagerX: Greetings,

Does DRM-FREE mean it has no serial nor key? That would be a form of DRM protection.

Thanks
Its simple. I buy a game from a store (hard or soft), I get that product and am in no way impeded in using that product on my own.

Now the definition gets tricky for those that want to have multiplayer and such like as that requires servers and accounts and such like, but as I wouldn't touch that with a barge pole, my definition is nice and simple and easy to understand. And yes, that includes not having to use clients, or anything else.
low rated
avatar
paigosa: ...No matter how one defines it, drm is nowhere near as obnoxious as it once was.
avatar
Trilarion: What is so obnoxious about pinwheels and manuals? I always thought this is part of the game.

However try to start Steam without an internet connection and you see that DRM just nicely throws a small popup in your face that tells you that now is not the time for gaming. I had it (unwantedly) and it wasn't a nice experience. Definitely increases the blood pressure (which if only happening occasionally might be a good thing even).
Out of curiosity, where were you that you had a pc without an internet connection for a period long enough for a typical gaming session?
avatar
Trilarion: What is so obnoxious about pinwheels and manuals? I always thought this is part of the game.

However try to start Steam without an internet connection and you see that DRM just nicely throws a small popup in your face that tells you that now is not the time for gaming. I had it (unwantedly) and it wasn't a nice experience. Definitely increases the blood pressure (which if only happening occasionally might be a good thing even).
avatar
paigosa: Out of curiosity, where were you that you had a pc without an internet connection for a period long enough for a typical gaming session?
Its not necessarily being without an internet connection, unless there is a reason to have internet on I leave it unplugged.
Even games from here will sometimes dial home - for instance VanHelsing (I think) dials back home to check if there is any news. Having an internet connection all the time is a danger to your PC, as one day you will find out.
Digital Rights Management, or DRM is actually a way to prevent copying of material, whether it is computer code, a Movie, or other item.

Some of it is rather unobtrusive (for example, most of Sony's Playstation games have a form of DRM attached to the disc and the console) whilst others are very obtrusive (example, STEAM where you have to download something outside of the material itself in order to have the material run).

CD codes do NOT prevent copying of the code, and many disks can be copied that have CD codes to install.

Copy protection also does not equal DRM. DRM is specifically meant to control access to digital material, and grant rights only via an accepted source...typically either by some form of code on the disc or music itself (for example mp4 is different than m4a in that the p stands for protected). Ironically, mp3s and mp4s now are not so protected and the P doesn't exactly seem to stand for what it used to stand for in Apple Products.

DRM, as per the actual copy protection that extends to electronic means to restrict one from the actual copying of code, movie, or other material is considered illegal to circumvent in many nations. If you circumvent it, even if you have bought and paid for the product, it is actually an illegal act in many areas of the world.

Intrusive DRM, as opposed to non-intrusive, typically forces the user to do things beyond simply accessing the material to utilize or view. In these cases, it may install unwanted programming, force access from another program, or cause one unable to view the material on certain machines due to the format to prevent copying on those same machines, or to prevent reviewing or downloading (streaming from many sites would fall into these categories, where you can watch the stream, but they put DRM in order to prevent it from being downloaded/copied to the machine it is viewed on).

DRM was generally accepted by the public in the past, however as DRM got more intrusive, and sometimes damaging to machines, you start to see pushback against DRM. DRM in the music industry has been utilized legally to steal music by the corporations from the actual artists, to rob the actual creators of material so that businesses can own the rights and prevent release, as well as other nefarious acts. It also has been used to install malware, backdoors, and other items onto computers where it was unwanted. Steam got a bad reputation originally because it was NOT forthcoming and open about being needed to install in order to allow games to also be installed.

After a bunch of angry gamers protested, boxes started to have "internet connection required" under the requirements section, and later, since people were still upset that even with an internet connection, STEAM was installed against their wishes at times, that it was necessary to install STEAM in order to install a game.

I personally don't like intrusive DRM because it installs unnecessary items simply to run a game. There is almost NO game on STEAM that actually requires STEAM to run. Hence, STEAM is an unnecessary and obtrusive product that really serves no purpose.

Many people these days simply do not care about things like this, for example, they'll easily give away all their personal information for a free app on Android, or let companies get their personal info via the net on social media.

Other people want their privacy, or want more control over their systems (for example, windows 10 allows FAR less control over your computer than Windows XP did, and many who want more control use Linux or other programs instead of Windows 10).

It all basically boils down to what one wants. At it's core, DRM is digital rights management, meaning it has to be a digital product and it deals with the RIGHTS of the product (so that normally is in regards to copying the product or the ability to have the product copies, do you have that right or what rights in that regards will it allow in regards to download, copy, and utilization).

DRM could be considered applicable if you cannot play online without authorization from the Rights holder. It would not be considered applicable in regards to the company if it is simply a matter of accessing it via a password...as a password could be considered YOUR rights in regards to privacy on a personal account. In this manner, Microsoft can say you need an account in order to use their product, and their DRM therefore would be the needed seed from their server, but that actual account you need is a personal item directly for you which means it is YOUR protection (so I suppose your DRM for any digital material you have on the account.

I don't see CD keys as DRM any more than I see a simple CD check (seeing if something is in the drive) as DRM. I see something on the disc that prevents copying and may interfere with it's being played on certain systems as possible DRM, and definitely consider a program that requires an internet connection in order to play it at all and hence prevent any copying...definite DRM.

DRM free means that you are free from these types of Digital Rights management, that you are freely able to copy the code and keep it with you without the rights holder being able to withdraw that right, or stop you from copying at their leisure or design.