EDIT: "Stronghold Collection" includes the following games (of which GoG has only the first two):

•Stronghold
•Stronghold Crusader
•Stronghold Crusader Extreme
•Stronghold 2
•Stronghold Legends

Ok, so the retail version of Stronghold Collection released in retail two years ago or so was at least supposed to be DRM-free, which is nice. :) From some old announcements I saw the target price of the collection in e.g. EU-zone should have been originally around 18€, but the &%#/!!! local online retailers here are asking easily over 30€ for it (one even listing it for 160€, which is possibly an error).

Anyway, is it available in any (legitime) download service DRM-free? The price on all of them seem to be around 19.95€ which is ok, but is it DRM-free on any of them? It would seem rather silly that the digital versions would have DRM, when even the retail version does not.

- Didn't see DRM details on the Steam release, but I presume it requires running the Steam-client in order to play the games in the collection (ie. it has DRM)? I've heard Steam does offer some games (like Doom 1-2) DRM-free, ie. not requiring the Steam-client to be run in order to play the games, so here's hoping...

- I didn't see DRM-details on the Direct-2-Drive offer.

- GamersGate lists "other DRM"... what DRM? I thought that usually refers to the DRM used in the retail version, but the retail version is supposed to be DRM-free.

- DotEmu doesn't carry the collection, only the first two games just like GoG. :(

Here's hoping of course that GoG (or DotEmu) would get them, after all they wouldn't have to negotiate about removing the DRM, I guess. Getting the first two games from GoG or DotEmu for around 13€, when the collection includes three newer games as well for a few more bucks, does not sound quite right...

If all else fails, I will get the DRM-free retail version for over 30€, if I have to.

http://www.gog.com/en/gamecard/stronghold
http://www.gog.com/en/gamecard/stronghold_crusader

???

Edit: Nvm, I see what you want now...

The collection has online activation on GamersGate. Something from Sony I think. It asks for the cd-key (provided by GamersGate) when installing. I don't know about any other details though, such as if it must be reactivated after some time or if activations are limited.

I didn't ask for a refund at the time because GG takes care of these problems on their own, but I regret it, just because this is the only DRM'd game in my whole non-Steam collection.

I know what you're talking about. That box was on my radar some time ago, I think I wanted to buy it from Mastertronic online store (Slod-Out software). Then it just vanished. and it was for a measly €10 too. :(

Anyway, good luck with your search, I kinda caved in and bought Stronghold here at gog. it's the only one I really wanted to play anyway, others would be just a bit of extra content.

I just saw this at Target last night for $19.99. Strongly considering getting it since I only have one of the games in it on GOG.

Amazon has it for download at $16. Seems to be DRM free.

I don't know what people think about Amazon's game download service, but from my limited experience with it, it seems OK. Similar to GOG in that it is just there to download the game and does not have to be running to play it, from what I remember.

Great, can you let me know when you've purchased it from either place, and whether it is fully DRM-free? :)

I was pretty sure the Amazon offer would be US-only, but at least so far it didn't complain to me...

It might be awhile before I grab my copy.

I know the box says DRM-free on it, whether you trust that or not is up to you.

I was wondering if Amazon would let you get it from the US site. I haven't checked Amazon for any other country to see if it's there. Hmm, Amazon UK does not show a download version.

Scratch that, at the end of the page it clearly states that US-only. Well, if they don't want my money, so be it.

Where on the page did you see the mention about "DRM-free"? I saw it mentioned in a couple of reviews on that page, but at least some of them were referring to the retail (DVD) version.

That sucks.

I'm not 100% certain about the PC download being DRM free, but I assumed that it would be the same as the box version, which said DRM-free on the back.

The comment I see on the Amazon page that says "DRM-free" is marked as "DVD-ROM", but at the same time the comment also says "no worrying about... scratched disks", which seems like something to say about a download release, not a DVD release.

I just noticed that Crusader is $10 here on GOG, which makes me lean a bit further toward getting this collection.

EDIT: From what I read, the "Stronghold Collection" is DRM-free in all incarnations. It is a special DRM-free/optimized for Win7 release. For what it's worth...

EDIT 2: A comment at GamersGate says it's DRM-free. For what that's worth, too.

I read that as that there is no CD-check, ie. you can play without the DVD after installation, and/or copying the original CD/DVDs is not prevented in any way. Thus, no worrying about scratching the (original) installation DVD. Apparently at least the GamersGate version has DRM, and if the Steam-version requires running the Steam client in order to play the game, that has DRM too.

Besides GoG and DotEmu, by default I don't believe any other publishers' "no DRM!!!" claims anymore. After all, Valve insisted that Steam "is not DRM!", and to Ubisoft "removing DRM" seems to mean "ok, it doesn't require you to be connected to internet all the time, but of course you'll have to authenticate the game online when you install it and/or start playing it".

I think this might be a case where you don't believe them about having "Other DRM", at least if you go by one comment that says "DRM free"...

EDIT: I'm leery of saying that. I generally only trust GOG. But DotEmu seems trustworthy, too.

Someone in this thread said when they bought it on GG they got a CD key. Of course GamersGate do sometimes put "other DRM" even when it's an offline serial/CD key check.

While technically DRM, I'm fine with old fashioned offline CD-keys.

Looks like it's a risk then. Not sure what to say.

Yeah, I wish GG would be more specific...