jackalKnight: The GOG version wouldn't have had paid DLC either if the nuclear reaction that the Omerta DLC got was any evidence.

the_bard: Our Tuesday Kickstarter update generated many questions, particularly concerning the Steam vs. DRM-Free versions of the game. As we said, we wanted to wait until today to allow time for everyone’s questions and feedback to bubble up so we could write another update to address as many as we can, in one place.

You funded this project because you saw something in our Kickstarter that resonated with you personally and made you want to be a part of it. Backers pledged more than financial support - you invested your belief in our ideas and gave us your trust that we would do what we said we would. We take that trust very seriously and are doing our best to be worthy of it.

With your support, we will always do our best to fix problems or concerns that arise, with the understanding that some of the issues we must deal with may not always appear obvious to the community. We will endeavor to communicate such things more clearly and promptly to you, our Backers, whenever it is possible for us to do so.

So let’s start here: We clearly left some critical information too vague, which resulted in some bad feelings and speculation. We are sorry about that and we’re going to fix that poor communication right now.

To reiterate, our Backers don’t have to choose a DRM-free version of the game or a Steam version of the game. You get both.
Backers who want a DRM-free experience with Shadowrun Returns (on Windows, OSX, and Linux) are getting the game, editor and all, and will be able to transfer community-created story files and update executables manually. (It works just like a non-Steam version of Skyrim: you can install mods manually or via a 3rd-party tool such as Nexus.) The DRM-free version will not require any internet connection or any form of online authorization to play. In addition, Backers who like the convenience and reliability of Steam and who want automatic updates, easy-to-browse content, and a DLC store are getting them.
We said that post-Berlin Campaign DLC would only be available on Steam but we never said why. We regret the omission. The reason is that our license to develop Shadowrun Returns actually requires that the game and its DLC be distributed under DRM. This didn’t come up earlier because the situation was complicated by the number of parties involved in the license and because the process was “ongoing”. Ultimately, we were able to successfully negotiate an exception with Microsoft for us to provide our Backers with a DRM-free version of the Kickstarter rewards (specifically the game and the Berlin Campaign) but that exception does not extend to non-reward DLC. So unfortunately, we cannot sell or give away DRM-free versions of the game or DLC on stores like GoG, and that’s why any future Shadowrun Returns DLC will only be available for purchase on Steam.
We will be updating/bugfixing the DRM-free versions (Windows, OSX, and Linux) of Shadowrun Returns, maintaining them along with the Steam versions. These updates will require Backers to re-download the game from the Harebrained Account Website, since it will not include auto-patching functionality.

oasis789: So it comes down to a licensing issue with FASA?

thelovebat: So not only are backers not getting anything on the dogtags for the $125 tier like they were promised (DRM free version of the game + soundtrack), they also didn't bother to take care of the licensing issues with Microsoft first before having DRM free rewards on the pledges. They only have themselves to blame for this mess and weren't patient enough to make sure that all potential issues were ironed out BEFORE doing the Kickstarter. If they would have taken more time to make sure things were more clear and less vague with their initial Kickstarter (even in the previous update as well) then people wouldn't be such up in arms about this now.

thelovebat: Probably because Omerta isn't a great game and 20mb DLC being sold for $5 people didn't like.

orcishgamer: Apparently so, and when the backers asked, they fucking went to bat for us and got us DRM free backer rewards. That's pretty much the opposite of something to be pissed about.

Fucking awesome!
orcishgamer: Dude, they didn't know DRM free would be a backer demand, this was one of the very first Kickstarter games from a big group, and the very first (iirc) using a huge licensed property. When we demanded DRM free they went and got the best fucking deal they could get, doing so after they'd launched the KS campaign probably gave them a hell of a lot less leverage.

Promise fulfilled, seriously, don't be a tool to them about this. Even with the problems this is one of the best fucking deals going on in gaming right now, period! Yes, I backed this at a high level and I'm happy.

orcishgamer: Apparently so, and when the backers asked, they fucking went to bat for us and got us DRM free backer rewards. That's pretty much the opposite of something to be pissed about.

Fucking awesome!
orcishgamer: Dude, they didn't know DRM free would be a backer demand, this was one of the very first Kickstarter games from a big group, and the very first (iirc) using a huge licensed property. When we demanded DRM free they went and got the best fucking deal they could get, doing so after they'd launched the KS campaign probably gave them a hell of a lot less leverage.

Promise fulfilled, seriously, don't be a tool to them about this. Even with the problems this is one of the best fucking deals going on in gaming right now, period! Yes, I backed this at a high level and I'm happy.

Gonchi: DRM-Free was never demanded, it was offered up from the get go. HBS might not have lied to us, but they definitely deceived us.

Thankfully, pirat-erm, I mean, "modders" will fix it.

thelovebat: And what about non-backers like me that were expecting a DRM free release? What if we didn't want to get the game on Steam when it came out? What if we didn't have money to spare when the Kickstarter happened to be running and couldn't fund it?

orcishgamer: Dude, they didn't know DRM free would be a backer demand, this was one of the very first Kickstarter games from a big group, and the very first (iirc) using a huge licensed property. When we demanded DRM free they went and got the best fucking deal they could get, doing so after they'd launched the KS campaign probably gave them a hell of a lot less leverage.

Promise fulfilled, seriously, don't be a tool to them about this. Even with the problems this is one of the best fucking deals going on in gaming right now, period! Yes, I backed this at a high level and I'm happy.

orcishgamer: What about it? It seems you shouldn't be complaining about the $125 reward level, that's what.

I'm sorry you had issues and couldn't get the 15 or 20 together to back it, but to me it seems that you, personally, were promised jack and shit and really don't have a valid complaint. I get it sucks to be disappointed but all you had were assumptions and that's a far cry from a commitment on the developers' part.

Fictionvision: So if they aren't allowed to sell the game DRM free, what would they have done if for whatever reason they didn't get an automatic pass on to Steam? "Hey guys, your game will need GFWL for future DLC!"?

Also wouldn't making sure you can sell the game where and how you want be something they got cleared up when making sure they could get the rights if they raised enough money?

Edit: Also this tells me that Microsoft won't be coming to GOG if they have issues with their games/licenses being sold DRM Free.