Goldberg and Steamless are both experimental tools which can be freely used for many different matters, but what they are used for is totally up to the user; nothing specific can be said. They are no "cracks" and are not able to create a "crack", only a game which may be set free from some boundaries as it may replace or circumvent some necessities (such as always trying to go online or not offering LAN, hence it is called "LAN emulator"). You do not understand the basic intention from the creators nor many of their users and are blackmailing them for no real reason. Guess thats why they may now even stop developing it, as they has been misunderstood.

In German there is a saying "Der grösste Lump im ganzen Land, das ist und bleibt der Denunziant". Or in English "The greatest scoundrel in the whole land, that is and remains the informer".

As long as you do not treat others with dignity and seeing the good stuff... you may pretty soon lose your own dignity.

WTF. This is getting more and more crazier.

Calm down. Turn off your computer. Get outside to catch some fresh air.

Well you could have just left the thread instead of requesting a lockdown. It wasn't even your thread in the first place, weird request

The one doing the contribution is the one able to pull a trigger, at least in my own world. As this world is rarely understood i did now remove my stuff... so the topic is automatically "as good as done".

The others usually was doing very few and a few of them even got in mind to be a troll, which is going nowhere. So the result is simply to accept that GOG is the only DRM free place and thats fine.

Yeah...in your own world

I can just recreate it with my content and then pull the trigger after, in either case... both topics would be done after because from nothing there comes simply nothing.

Those "pointing fingers" do not need to worry: I assume the tools will not be developed anymore (the creators are fed up by the massive accusations and misuse) and perhaps on Steam there will be even more Denuvo and Always-Online soon, which is exactly the thing being asked for. I even support it because it would make GOG a even better option if it gets locked down at the other place the hardest way possible. I hope they do not step back from putting in tons of locks... because every lock will put a level up on any comparable GOG game.

It is actually even disgusting if they offer it nearly DRM free on that other place, as it does decrease the value on GOG games.

Of course, every game will be cracked at some point, which is done by scene-members and those games indeed are known as cracks... just for those without knowledge. It does hit any game, even those using Denuvo or "Always-Online".

There's an apt British English manner to describe this: it's absolutely crackers!

They may indeed be trolls attempting to destroy the peace. But in this rare instance (and it pains me to say so), they are right, at least to signatories of WIPO Treaty of 1996. The word is "circumvention", not cracking. Yes, it's stupid. But it *is* illegal in US and EU. Not sure where your home of Switzerland falls.

And you indeed have hijacked this thread: meant for games that are available ACTUALLY DRM-free from spleplace -- into something else.

It’s no use, they all go the same way:
On day 1 people start suggesting Steam, Epic, etc. games already.
On day 2 you have the first posts saying DRM that can be circumvented is not really DRM.
On day 3 people caring about truly DRM-free games have all left in disgust.

Regarding this "1996-Treaty" which is as a whole industry-inducted and mostly being put on many or nowadays even most countries: It sill does not override specified local laws but it might conflict with those local laws, unless those laws are completely removed or revised which is mostly not the case. Even Russia is part of this 1996-Treaty yet their current law is allowing for piracy; so their local law is currently overriding this "1996-Treaty".

For example: If a country, which is same for my country, is allowing making a backup of a software they legally bought for personal use only and even to some extend in general removing a DRM (else the backup is not possible, no need to argue at all) but it is still conflicting with the generalized terms of this "1996-Treaty" which in general simply allows nothing in this direction without any exception... not even trying to stay offline while a game is not initially allowing it then it is conflicting with some local laws that are still in force. Ultimately it is a "gray area" or somewhat "legal limbo" for many countries, including my country.

Some other countries such as Germany, however... are more strict and are specifically not allowing any single actions which would be against the will of the creator (or holder of the rights) including trying to put a game offline while it is not officially allowed. Although a emulator is in general always legal, such a emulator is still able to create actions which has been banned... but not the emulator, just its actions. So if we activate "online-play" while a game is asking for... it is not necessarily against any law. So... a emulator can be set up in a way it does make a game work exactly the way a creator is "looking for". As well... now it is another "legal limbo"... It may be different if the creator is specifically banning any use of emulations, which is not known to me and any Linux user may have to say goodbye after because any Windows-program is in need of emulation there, Steam is even using it themself: Another legal limbo.

However... there comes some more "legal limbo":

1. Steam officially said "gamers are able to make a backup"... although this is just a expression from Gabe Newell which may not have any bigger meaning other than marketing. As we all know. as long as a DRM is apparent, any backup is impossible... no need to argue.

2. Many companies are not using a hard or real DRM (such as Denuvo or Always-online) even if they could do it without any issue, because the option is available to them. Reason is because they are not totally against the possibility for making a backup else they would clearly NOT use a "weak" DRM and in many cases even initially removing the Stub. So they got the tools if they want to and they should make us of it, else it can be "read" as "they may tolerate backups". So, the intention from the copyright holder is not necessarily clear or it may have some "holes". Besides, many holders of copyright do not want to have their game "modded" but according to this "1996-Treaty" even this act would be illegal if not specifically allowed. Although, even if the gamers are modding many games without a mod-interface... which is basically = not allowing it, the companies in general are not trying to prevent it, they silently "accept those wishes".

3. Most games in fact can be played offline but only for a limited time. Some tools might be able to extend this "offline-period" toward a unknown length. So while the creator was not allowing it to be played for a "unknown length" it is in general not forbidden playing it offline. It is only not allowed if a countries law is specifically banning even such "tiny actions"; which is sometimes the case but not always.

Finally the right situation is not always clear and while the 1996-Treaty is basically completely in favor of industry-wishes and in any single point against consumer-wishes.... it does not necessarily avoid or remove any countries local laws. I simply would try to act with common sense and not cause any damage to any creator, which is in the end "the best judgement" someone can make, no matter the legal-situation.

Anyway, even if there are a lot of gray areas... for the security of everyone here who wants to act as "white" as possible i was now taking down any suggestions in any "gray-direction" and now everyone can rest in peace being as white-coated as it possibly gets.

The only 100% white solution is buying your games on GOG... and because we was asking to be as white as possible... such topics are not really allowed to exists anymore. There is just way to much "gray" in a environment where we ask for "black and white": It will limit ourselves the hard way but we are asking for it, so do not bother asking me or anyone anymore for anything different and keep buying games on GOG; so GOG may be able to survive in a world where the majority actually does not care DRM, just some "hobby-lawyers" and they may be putting it up toward the few who actually care with high force.

In general i do recommend fighting for consumer-rights else everyone will become shackled at some point, pretty serious.

However... i do totally support the most extreme DRMs possible on Steam, so any sort of "allowed rights" is becoming very clear toward everyone and there is no lack of understanding. They can provide a GOG game for anyone not looking for a strong DRM, which is the way it should be done... as clear as it possibly gets in the most honest manner.

Ubisoft for example is very clear and thats fine for me... i do now avoid any of their games without exceptions, they do never need to worry i accidentally may buy any of their games and they are most likely more than fine with; it goes in both directions. Just show a clear language and we got the matter solved.

Those companies might have to accept its "effects" but some analyst may be telling "It is worth it from the economical standpoint"... i can not judge it but i do know that many consumer-friendly companies was able to make up to 50 million sales while being DRM free... so the "damage" of DRM free is very uncertain.