First, I want to mention that I really like and appreciate the model of distribution GOG provides.


Whenever possible, I prefer to avoid using websites heavy in JS, non-free code, third-party scripts, etc. But it seems to me that the only way to download games you own is by logging in in the browser and download that way. Is it possible, theoretically, to implement something FTP-based, for example? I log in with my username and password, and FTP server gives me a list of games and files I can download. Or maybe there is already something like that and I missed it?

I don't think there is a ftp option.

Official ways to download your GOG games:

1. Download and install with the Galaxy client.

2. Download the standalone offline (backup) installer files with the Galaxy client (install the game manually with those files).

3. Download the standalone offline (backup) installer files with your web browser (install the game manually with those files).

Unofficial ways to download your GOG games:

4. gogrepo.py (works on any device that understands python, e.g. Windows and Linux machines).

5. lgogdownloader (only in Linux by default).

Pick your poison.

Out of interest, if your not planning on using a browser, how do you intend to to buy things?

Games can be bought from within Galaxy.

OP: FTP download is never going to happen. But agree, it would be better than downloading from the website.

If they can, then why not use galaxy to download the games? The topic is how to download without browser. The question is, you need something to browse and buy things, use that to download?

But Galaxy is a web browser, using embedded Chromium.

What happens when gog changes its policies like it has done in the past and he wants access to his products without agreeing to the new terms or unwritten changes.

This is a fact of life with all services. Someday Steam will stop Windows 7 support, like they did XP, and there's nothing anyone can do about it. Great thing with GOG is that when you buy you can download and backup the game, so you never need GOG's permission to do jack squat afterward. They can change their terms or requirements and you can tell them to go screw. That's what DRM free is all about.

Whether you download today with Galaxy or a browser, this is true either way. Most people don't backup their games, which is their choice to make, but that's not GOG's fault.

+1 :)

Then he utilises his backup system to access the products under his own control, which is the single sole and only reason for shopping at GOG! Seriously if you are relying on any web service to access your product you will lose access to it one day one way or another. Or do you believe they should graciously spend their money backing up your software? So? The point is you need something to browse and purchase, use that same thing to download. Or is he going to post GOG a letter with a postal order and then find a way of downloading?

Nyet. No FTP. You either use your browser and endure the little bit of JS scripted pages to download via https or use their cromium-embedded client. Use an ad-blocker to take out most of the nuisance stuff which loads with the webpages and just put up with the scripting, mate. Hell, you can even grab the download link and paste the active link into an open-source download manager if you don't want the browser handling the download.

FTP? At this point we're lucky to have browser access at all.

I'm curious about this one, I do remember e.g. for offline installers I was able to use add-on download managers like Downthemall, downloaders like IDM and JD2. I was told that doesn't work anymore, tried them after a very long time and they were unable to pick the correct link, unless I should dig it out from the page source now, even though the link looked completely valid, with the correct game name i.e. setup name, but as soon as download will start sth happens and only what is downloaded is html file.

I don't need that method anymore but I know others with messy internet and it would be great for them.

EDIT:

Nevermind, downthemall works again, so I guess other download managers will too.

So if you don't want to download via a browser (for some reason) and someone suggests using Galaxy instead, that doesn't really help because you're still using a browser. Thought that was obvious.