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General discussionDRM free games on Steam - what does it mean?(54 posts)(54 posts)
(54 posts)
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This is my favourite topic
Posted August 03, 2016
On several occasions, I have read, both on this forum and elsewhere, that Steam actually sells a substantial number of DRM free games. I don't buy games with online DRM, so if the aforementioned is true, this would of course be positive news, as it may make it possible for me to buy games on Steam that are not offered on GoG.

However, I am wondering just what this means, since different people have various levels of tolerance for what they consider to be DRM free. There are some people who don't even consider Steam activation to be DRM. I am certainly not one of them, though, and consider DRM to be anything that has to be done online to backup, install, run, etc. the game.

Secondly, I wonder if there is a way to see before buying whether a game is DRM free on Steam. I have seen some lists, which even list the newer Paradox games, such as Europa Universalis IV and Stellaris as DRM free on Steam, which would be great, but I have my doubts about it.
Posted August 03, 2016
Well, I do not use Steam but as I understand:
Some games, you can download and install via Steam onto your computer. Then you do not need any connection to play. If this downloading and installing is a from of DRM is subject of discussion. As you write, there are different opinions on this.

Anyway, there is a thread on here called something like "List of DRM-free games on Steam". I am sure you can find more info there.
Post edited August 03, 2016 by animalmother2105
Posted August 03, 2016
It means that some publishers/devs sell DRM free versions on Steam aswell. :v
Posted August 03, 2016
From what I've seen and been told, a DRM-free game on steam means that you can launch and play the game without steam running.
As far as which games are DRM-free I'd suggest going to the specific game forum and post a thread asking the Dev if the game is or is not. From what I've heard the devs are the ones who decide if they want to incorporate steam DRM.
Posted August 03, 2016
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mm324: As far as which games are DRM-free I'd suggest going to the specific game forum and post a thread asking the Dev if the game is or is not. From what I've heard the devs are the ones who decide if they want to incorporate steam DRM.
That's a lot of work to do. Of all the games on steam I have/had before quitting, and effectively getting slapped with DRM, only 1 game I had actually worked without DRM of any kind, namely Dungeons of Dredmor. Other's included working but going into a demo mode, requiring the steam client running (although only being on, like Skyrim), and others that outright refuse to run without it's licenses, which ultimately made me quit steam entirely.

DRM should be obviously marked, preferably with what kind of DRM. The fact steam probably doesn't do it, or rather the games aren't required to specify is a pain in the butt. I refuse to use the steam client/service so all of it is gated off anyways.
Posted August 03, 2016
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mm324: From what I've seen and been told, a DRM-free game on steam means that you can launch and play the game without steam running.
But you still need to use the steam client to download the game, and there are no patches etc. offered outside the normal steam mechanism so you're tied to it for them as well.
Posted August 03, 2016
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rtcvb32: b]DRM should be obviously marked, preferably with what kind of DRM. The fact steam probably doesn't do it, or rather the games aren't required to specify is a pain in the butt. I refuse to use the steam client/service so all of it is gated off anyways.
I agree.
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EndlessWaves: But you still need to use the steam client to download the game, and there are no patches etc. offered outside the normal steam mechanism so you're tied to it for them as well.
As far as I know you are correct.
Posted August 03, 2016
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Lajciak: On several occasions, I have read, both on this forum and elsewhere, that Steam actually sells a substantial number of DRM free games. I don't buy games with online DRM, so if the aforementioned is true, this would of course be positive news, as it may make it possible for me to buy games on Steam that are not offered on GoG.

However, I am wondering just what this means, since different people have various levels of tolerance for what they consider to be DRM free. There are some people who don't even consider Steam activation to be DRM. I am certainly not one of them, though, and consider DRM to be anything that has to be done online to backup, install, run, etc. the game.

Secondly, I wonder if there is a way to see before buying whether a game is DRM free on Steam. I have seen some lists, which even list the newer Paradox games, such as Europa Universalis IV and Stellaris as DRM free on Steam, which would be great, but I have my doubts about it.
I seriously doubt you can backup** these games. From what I gathered this "no drm" is merely the lightest form of drm. One time activation in form of going to steam and install it from there again whenever you need to install it. For some ppl this is a no issue and some of them assume no issue same as no drm.

For some old games you can make a backup by just making a copy of the install folder. But thats messy and not supported.


**backup as in offline usable .exe installer like gog offers.
Post edited August 03, 2016 by anothername
Posted August 03, 2016
As above, you still need the client or command line app to download the games, but they don't have the CEG component or *not checked* other Drm mechanisms. So you are still forced to use thier client, and as far as I can tell its all games which you can get dem free elsewhere anyways or are not worth it.
Posted August 03, 2016
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Lajciak: However, I am wondering just what this means, since different people have various levels of tolerance for what they consider to be DRM free.
It depends on who is telling you a game is DRM-Free. The games discussed in this thread need Steam (either full client or SteamCMD) to download, but you can them move them to any other PC and still play them, whether said PC has network and/or steam.
Some of the games will require you to install some redistributables and/or registry entries, which may or may not require you to manually parse the installscript.vdf file.

But whether you (personal you) consider a Steam game as DRM free or not depends on what you (again, personal you) consider DRM.
Posted August 03, 2016
If I'm not totally mistaken a GOG user put up a list (which is somewhere hidden on the forum):
http://steam.wikia.com/wiki/List_of_DRM-free_games

You need the Steam client to download them. You can backup them as you wish (backup the whole folder). Don't need Steam installed at all.

Edit: Am I late again?
Post edited August 03, 2016 by classicgogger
Posted August 03, 2016
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Lajciak: On several occasions, I have read, both on this forum and elsewhere, that Steam actually sells a substantial number of DRM free games. I don't buy games with online DRM, so if the aforementioned is true, this would of course be positive news, as it may make it possible for me to buy games on Steam that are not offered on GoG.

However, I am wondering just what this means, since different people have various levels of tolerance for what they consider to be DRM free. There are some people who don't even consider Steam activation to be DRM. I am certainly not one of them, though, and consider DRM to be anything that has to be done online to backup, install, run, etc. the game.

Secondly, I wonder if there is a way to see before buying whether a game is DRM free on Steam. I have seen some lists, which even list the newer Paradox games, such as Europa Universalis IV and Stellaris as DRM free on Steam, which would be great, but I have my doubts about it.
They're not really DRM-free, cos you have to have the steam client installed before you can even download the games.

GOG games - you just download the game, and that's it. Just enjoy the game. No stupid 3rd party software is forced on you.

Hope that helps. ( :
Posted August 04, 2016
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FrodoBaggins: They're not really DRM-free, cos you have to have the steam client installed before you can even download the games.
And there's some games (Skyrim) that require the steam client loaded and running, even if it doesn't even use it for anything.
Posted August 04, 2016
DRM-free games on a DRMed platform .. the irony
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classicgogger: If I'm not totally mistaken a GOG user put up a list
you probably mean:
https://www.gog.com/forum/general/steam_games_you_can_play_without_the_steam_client/page1
https://www.gog.com/forum/general/how_to_run_steam_games_offline_forever_tutorial/page1
Posted August 04, 2016
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mobutu: DRM-free games on a DRMed platform .. the irony
Actually is more of DRM-free games on a digital store that supports DRM imbued games.

inb4 "you need the client to download it"
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General discussionDRM free games on Steam - what does it mean?(54 posts)(54 posts)
(54 posts)