It's not free, it's discounted 100%. :P

Seriously, what's with that verbiage!? XD
IT'S FREE! I guess they have to say is discounted 100% so it makes it sound like you're buying a game instead of getting a handout. ;P

And thank you tremere. :D

And it even has a Linux version there, sigh...

Is it playable without the Steam client?

I last played the game a year ago, so I can't say my answer 100% correct.

Steam is needed to play the Steam version. For online matches, you need a Triump online account as well.

You can play the game with Offline Mode so no need for internet after downloading AND playing once.

You still need about $20 to get all the DLC, except for the pre-order Elf DLC, for which you'll need a time machine. (Seriously, didn't they promise they'd make this available again someday?)

it was certainly the case when it was free via humble a wee while back.

Meh, have it in GOG with DLCs and not playing online anyway

By the way, how many of you got the pre-order bonus DLC?

The bonus content is just a map? What's special about this map?

Nothing has changed, as far as I can see. And before the game starts it has to get some kind of license verification docs from Triumph server. So I assume the GOG version is not DRM-free as well, since the game requires internet connection to check these docs.

edit: typos

It's so you now it's staying in your account, rather than their free to play periods.
That's a bad assumption. While I haven't played my GOG copy yet, I can definitely tell you the forum would have melted down Chernobyl style if there was an online file check DRM in the game.

Well, there is kind of DRM. I noticed there's an option to use the offline account, so people could play a single-player mode, but every time I try to launch AoW3 without internet connection the game fails to get verification documents. That's why assumed there is a DRM in AoW3.

No, not true.

You simply use the 'Guest' account (not possible to rename it) for SP games.

If you want to play multiplayer, then you need to register for a Triumph account. They might have changed that to needing a Parasite account now though.

Steam version doesn't need a CD-KEY for that (your Steam account is associated with the Triumph / Parasite account), GOG version does (available to see in your games section).

Yeah, Triumph have always been money grabbers i.e. They are definitely more interested in making more money than, making existing customers satisfied, which you can verify if you ever followed their sales, and comments in the Steam forums over the years.

A little while after selling out to Paradogs, they completely removed the AOW 3 'Collection' from Steam, which included the 'Deluxe' edition (sound track plus map), Golden Realms, and Eternal Lords, plus the base game of course. You could occasionally buy that for -75% off (more usually -66% off).

https://steamdb.info/sub/64197/history/

The thing is, if you decide that you like this game, it's really, really 'meh', without the DLCs, which improve it immensely.

So, it's just one more marketing push to sell DLC, as with all Paradogs games.

Even before joining up with Paraleech, the pricing on the main DLCs was always like -33% or so, as opposed to -75% on the base game, and the 'Collection' was never available on GOG.

So, Steam prices today (UK):

Base game - Christmas cracker item
Golden Realms - £4.50
Eternal Lords - £7.50
So, that's £12 without the Soundtrack 'Deluxe' edition.

Whereas last year @ -66% the Collection would have cost you £10, and you could have got it for £7.50 (I did).

TL;DR

Nice freebie for the base game, which (guess) 90% will play once and never boot it up again. Fishing hook for the DLC(s), which is dearer now than it was 18 months ago, despite being at it's lowest (or joint lowest) individual discount of -50% (ironically)!

They already gave this game away on Humble Bundle for free, so this isn't something 'new' anyway.

Thanks for the info.

Added it because why not?