Many threads have been created on this same subject, so here is what I did.

Zeroth step: Make sure to update your Windows installation with the latest updates, install the latest version of your audio / video drivers, and install the full DirectX redistributable package downloadable from here.

First step: Buy the game from Steam / D2D. Download it, and install it. Let it update, if necessary. There is no need to run it yet, so don't bother doing that. Keep reading.

Second step: Copy - paste the game's whole folder onto the Desktop, or some similar place, outside the Steam folder or where you installed the D2D distributed version.

Third step: Delete the game from Steam, or through the Programs and Features (Add / Remove Programs on XP). You won't be needing it anymore, as you have it copied on the Desktop.

Fourth step: Go to your copy that is on the Desktop. Then delete these files:

Vampire.exe found in Game \.
Vampire.dll found in Game \ Vampire \ Dlls.
Version.inf found in Game \.
The whole Media folder found in Game \ Vampire \.

Fifth step: Still following me? Good. Now download this ZIP archive and extract the contents on your Desktop. Next, copy the extracted files this way:

Vampire.exe in Game \.
Vampire.dll in Game \ Vampire \.

By now you should have a DRM-free copy of the game. Just archive it, zip it, image it, or burn it, for when you want to play the game some time in the future.

Tested and working on two different configurations so far (both running on Windows 7 x64). No compatibility modes, hacks, or whatever are needed.

0_0 Trying this out.

Instruction manual how to crack a game have never been so complicated.

And for some reason, people tend to screw up everything with this game. :p

Yeah, but this problem is game-related. VTM:B is one hell of a buggy game.

so basically, you're just cracking the game, aren't you?

i don't want to be a killjoy or anything, but isn't that illegal? (1) you're circumventing copy protection, and (2) you're modifying the executable, which is against the EULA you have to agree to.

i'm not saying you shouldn't do it for you own personal use (though i've only ever done it to avoid having to put the disc in to play), but i'd be surprised if this kind of discussion was allowed here...

Wouldn't a "Buy at DotEmu" solution be simpler?

These are not the Steam forums. So we're cool.

It's not illegal. I don't know how in Switzerland, but in Poland you have right to make a backup copy of your game in the way you want. You are the only one who can use that copy, and the copy and original disc cannot be installed at the same time.

It's not even immoral, since you paid for the game.

It may break the EULA, but breaking EULA is breaking the agreement, not breaking the law.

ya, if this was on the steam forums it was instant close and ban

Especially since the sale is done on steam. May as well get the dotemu version that I think has no drm.

there is nothing more to say

No problems with cracks, but it's maybe no so good to post that here on gog - especially when another distributor is involved. I think who wants to use cracks knows how to use and search for it.

Edit: And yes, it shows again that at the end drm hurts mostly the legal user.

+1 for you.

Steam can go screw itself. I already have the boxed set of Bloodlines back when it was released. Now I got a digital backup from Steam from the sale. And I would damn hell appreciate it to run the game without seeing the Steam client.

I'm afraid you're totally incorrect here. While you may have a right to backup a copy of a game you have bought, you do not buy games on steam. They let you think you are buying them, but at no point do they actually say that you own the game, simply that your steam account has those games added to it.

As such in doing this you are pirating the game, and circumventing the DRM.

While KavazovAngel had the best of intentions, this is a set of instructions on how to steal the game, and should therefore be removed.