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General discussion (archive)New Gaming Options: Follow-up Survey(519 posts)(519 posts)
(519 posts)
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This is my favourite topic
Posted April 15, 2013
We (still) want to hear from you!

We recently asked you guys for feedback based on some potential games that we may be able to sign in the future. The results were pretty clear--and we will be sharing them with you all soon--but we did want to ask you a single follow-up question with an actual real-world game example. One of the games that we would like to add to our catalog is Planetary Annihilation. This is an RTS with many modern gaming features, and we figured we'd use it as our test example.

<iframe width="590" height="332" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Xpze54xgqtg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Planetary Annihilation is distinctive for the following:

- Multiplayer and skirmish focused gameplay; there is no story-based single-player campaign, but AI skirmish matches provide a great single player experience.
- Optional persistent online features such as scoreboards, social features, achievements, and the online multiplayer campaign - a persistent galaxy-wide war; an account with the developer's online service is required in order to use these features.
- No activation, unique codes, or third-party accounts are required for single-player play or, LAN/direct connection multiplayer.
- A unique key is required for Internet multiplayer, and an account with the developer's service is only required for the persistent online features.

Now, that you know about the game's specifics, here's our question:
Post edited April 15, 2013 by G-Doc
Posted April 15, 2013
Voted yes. I'm interested in Planetary Annihilation and would like to buy it here. And second - don't really consider optional activation to get additional content as DRM.
Posted April 15, 2013
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mrkgnao: The survey question is clearly phrased so it is very difficult to answer "no".
I wonder how many "yes" answers there would be if it were phrased:
Whether or not this particular game interests you, but taking into account that GOG has limited resources, would you like these resources to be directed towards games with these features, potentially at the expense of other games, both new and old?
In that case, I would definitely vote a NO.
The Humble Shop (My favourite distributor right now because it sells both Linux and Android games DRM free) has lost a lot of credit in my eyes by committing to weekly Steam sales. Desura would be my number one, if only their service worked a bit better and if they had a decent lineup that includes regular offers. I love GOG right now, but I hate both Microsoft and Mac because of their insufferable arrogance towards their customers and towards the PC customers in general. GOG would be higher on the list if you started to sell Linux versions of games as well. This is also a reason why I don't buy games on GoG that have Linux versions, except at prices that would equal a single rental of the game.
Post edited April 15, 2013 by jorlin
Posted April 15, 2013
Remember.....DRM Free?

Let me say it one more time DRM FREE!

Online activation with a online service is NOT DRM FREE.

And the "optional" content" just happens to be the content that most people will want to play if they buy the game.
Post edited April 15, 2013 by ScottWAR
Posted April 15, 2013
Maybe it would be sane to require that the developers also release their achievement server so that anyone could run their own, and allow some way of configuring which one is used in the client. That way if the main server goes down, no value is lost to future purchases, and people that don't trust the developer could host their own or use their friends.
Posted April 15, 2013
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TheCycoONE: Maybe it would be sane to require that the developers also release their achievement server so that anyone could run their own, and allow some way of configuring which one is used in the client. That way if the main server goes down, no value is lost to future purchases, and people that don't trust the developer could host their own or use their friends.
Splendid idea there.
Posted April 15, 2013
If multiplayer was only online and no lan, that could be an issue. The inclusion of lan makes that not an issue though.

Though you have some faulty information. Galactic War is going to have "Single player and co-op for local play"
according to update #8.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/659943965/planetary-annihilation-a-next-generation-rts/posts/303555


I already backed this and am looking forward to it.
Posted April 15, 2013
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ScottWAR: Remember.....DRM Free?

Let me say it one more time DRM FREE!

Online activation with a online service is NOT DRM FREE.

And the "optional" content" just happens to be the content that most people will want to play if they buy the game.
You can play the game, with your friends, without any DRM getting in your way.

If you want to use the developer's servers, you have to deal with the developer.

If the developer stops existing as a company, you can still play the game, over the internet, with your friends. If you want to play with someone else you just need to point them to you IP.

Sounds DRM Free to me.
Post edited April 15, 2013 by Sumason
Posted April 15, 2013
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mrkgnao: The survey question is clearly phrased so it is very difficult to answer "no".
I wonder how many "yes" answers there would be if it were phrased:
Whether or not this particular game interests you, but taking into account that GOG has limited resources, would you like these resources to be directed towards games with these features, potentially at the expense of other games, both new and old?
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jorlin: In that case, I would definitely vote a NO.
The Humble Shop (My favourite distributor right now because it sells both Linux and Android games DRM free) has lost a lot of credit in my eyes by committing to weekly Steam sales. Desura would be my number one, if only their service worked a bit better and if they had a decent lineup that includes regular offers. I love GOG right now, but I hate both Microsoft and Mac because of their insufferable arrogance towards their customers and towards the PC customers in general. GOG would be higher on the list if you started to sell Linux versions of games as well. This is also a reason why I don't buy games on GoG that have Linux versions, except at prices that would equal a single rental of the game.
I think that's a total misrepresentation of the intent behind the question. TET has already said in this very thread that GOG can afford to say no, and HAS said no in the past, to games they felt weren't in line with their core values. TET also said that releasing new/newer games that have no strings attached takes less work for them, while offering more resources to track down old gems and classics. I see that as a win/win. I also see this as making more Kickstarter devs come to GOG, giving them an avenue to not have to deal with Steam, et al, and bring us more games that DO line up with our and their core values, in the style of the classics we love GOG for.

So I voted yes.
Posted April 15, 2013
I voted no for the simple fact that CD-Keys were the first type of DRM-like protection that cropped up and from that all other DRM evolved. No matter how volountary the part that requires a CD-Key is it is a treacherous path to start walking on and it will make it harder and harder to deny "true" DRM.
Posted April 15, 2013
Yo TET and guys. Would it hurt like a lot if you replaced the "there is no story-based single-player campaign" with "the single-player campaign doesn't have a story" or something? I mean, you're calling the online version of the same thing "multiplayer campaign". As it is now, it's kind of open to jabs.

..or do you guys know something that I don't?
Posted April 15, 2013
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Fluffboll: No matter how volountary the part that requires a CD-Key is it is a treacherous path to start walking on and it will make it harder and harder to deny "true" DRM.
Neverwinter Nights, Sacred, Far Cry and Heroes of Annihilated Empires wave hello...
Posted April 15, 2013
If the game had alot more single-player content beyond AI skirmishes then I would say yes, but given that it has so little single player content and is primarily multi-player focused, i'm going to have respectfully answer no like I did on the last set of questions. I just don't see the point of having a primarily multi-player focused game on here DRM-free when you have to be online to really play these types of games anyways. If it wasn't for that, then I might change my mind.

Edit: For the record, I don't mind multi-player CD keys, which is why I wish GOG would phrase these questions better.
Post edited April 15, 2013 by haydenaurion
Posted April 15, 2013
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haydenaurion: I just don't see the point of having a primarily multi-player focused game on here DRM-free when you have to be online to really play these types of games anyways.
You don't have to be online. LAN play is there. Online is if you want the server to find you opponents. If you already know who you wish to play against, no 3rd party account needed, nor any cd-key.
Posted April 15, 2013
I voted yes but on one condition.

That condition is that whenever the developers' servers officially go offline for good, that it's stated clearly and obviously on the gog.com sale page just so the person buying the game knows what they're dealing with. Otherwise it would be extremely unfair. There should possibly even be some kind of warning on the cart screen.

The game should also take a hefty price cut if play on the developers servers was a major focus of the game.
Posted April 15, 2013
tl;dr

As long as optional stays optional and it's clearly listed, I'm okay with this. Unfortunately I don't have much faith in today's publishers.
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This is my favourite topic
Community
General discussion (archive)New Gaming Options: Follow-up Survey(519 posts)(519 posts)
(519 posts)