TheGrimLord: DRM-FREE IS DRM-FREE,

GilesHabibula: Sadly, this is the attitude of most gamers.
It's the attitude that keeps Steam on top of the heap.
And it's the attitude that keeps gog from getting many games on day one.

And it's frustrating because it doesn't need to be this way.
If most gamers would put their foot down and refuse to buy from any store that required a client to run many of its games, gog would flourish.

Unfortunately, the reality is that gamers want the latest thing immediately, and will thus buy it with all kinds of DRM if they have to so they can play it right now.

Yes, the game you mention can be played DRM-free on Steam, but the fact that so many people are willing to buy from a DRM-friendly store simply makes it much more likely that DRM-free stores like gog may never get it, or that if they do, it will be months or even years later.

dtgreene: I'd argue that:
* If DRM is unacceptable, than it it unacceptable for purchasing from a service that provides and promotes DRM. (One could go further and not buy from any company that supports DRM; the mini NES Classic that came out some years ago is an example of a case where this matters.)
* I don't use non-game software that isn't open source. This rule excludes things like steam, and since it's required to purchase and download games that are sold there, games only available there (or other DRM-encumbered platforms) are not available legally without breaking this rule. (Note that this rule applies to GOG Galaxy as well; however, since GOG allows game downloads through the browser, I can still get there without violating this rule.)

TheGrimLord: If a game doesn't have DRM when you open it, the means for downloading are irrelevant. That's a personal issue on your end. If I do not need the client or to be connected to the internet to PLAY then it is DRM-Free. Clients don't scare me as long as they can be turned off after downloading.

dtgreene: Problem is that if the client has DRM, then you can't legally get the game in a DRM-free environment, as downloading the client would make the environment no longer DRM-free.

Furthermore, I have that rule against using non-game closed source software, and the client isn't itself a game, so doesn't fall under that exemption.

TheGrimLord: If the game is DRM-Free, it doesn't matter if the client you downloaded it from is not. That's just a store and means of transfer. Nothing more.

TheGrimLord: Mate, you can't stop the train. The only way that people leave Steam is if Valve makes a really, really, really bad fuck up. And I think they've yet to do that. DRM-FREE IS DRM-FREE, know what I mean, Vern?

mqstout: You could stop digging yourself this hole. It's not true. It doesn't matter how "DRM-free" you call it or not if I have to cut off my toe and break bread with my worst enemy to get it.

Using Steam in any way or form is anathema. It's rewarding and reinforcing a locked-down DRM environment. It's saying, "I hate video games." People like you make things worse with your total lack of a moral or ethical framework. Please stop going out of your way to destroy video games while rationalizing it as OK. If you're going to be reckless and damaging, at least own up to it.

amok: What you are doing here is pointless. Some people are so narrow and myopic in their interpretation of the nebulous term ‘DRM,’ and hold their beliefs so rigidly, that they are bordering on fanaticism.

mqstout: What you mean to say is some of us actually *care* and have a whole and consistent worldview rather than constantly making exceptions for everything.

Some of us could pass the marshmallow test.

ALSO, DRM's definition is solid and tested. It's only rare cretins like you who try to make it about that. It may very well be DRM-free on the Scam store, but that doesn't mean one should ever give them any ill-gotten gains as purveyors of DRM services.