Lucumo: Yep, but apparently there are a lot of people that don't regard that as DRM, even here (which doesn't make any sense from my point of view, as the client directly controls and limits the distribution of the software).
javihyuga: So, for you, what's the difference between registering in Steam and use it to download a DRM Free game, so you can package it and play everywhere, and registering in GOG and use the web to download an already packaged game and play anywhere?
Heyho.
If I'm allowed to chime in:
On GOG games are always DRM-free, it is the core principle and function of the GOG service to provide DRM-free games and movies.
On Steam it is a guessing game of how much DRM will be imposed on the buyer and even if it is supposedly DRM-free at a certain point in time, this could be changed either by the developer or Steam itself later.
When either of those change their minds about it for any reason, without a warning, there is not much you could do, given Steam tries to force updates on you. It's possible to keep access to your Steam games, I know that well enough, but it is a hassle and preparations are to be carried out all by yourself and don't necessarily work in the end.
Because DRM-free on Steam isn't advertised as such on a games' store page, it is hardly something users can require the developer to implement or maintain, even if DRM was introduced to their dismay.
Pointing to a user compiled list of DRM-free games on Steam is hardly enough to convince a court or Steam itself, they wouldn't suddenly require the developer to remove its DRM or issue refunds for those folks, who only bought the game in good faith they would be able to enjoy it without internet, on a plane, on holidays or someday in the future, when validation servers aren't available anymore.
Also you have to use the Steam client to download and patch games. If I were to go to the library and use their internet connection to download a game, I wouldn't be allowed to install Steam there and it wouldn't help me much, anyway. Because it is on their PC then and not mine, except I brought a laptop.
What I always can do is visit GOG.com, login, download the installer and/or patch files to a USB drive I brought with me and install the games any time I want at my own PC at home, sitting there without an internet connection.
Downloading through Steam requires you to have more access to the machine you want to download to, GOG just asks for an internet browser plus connection.
Simply put, both services have a different view on the environment people play games in:
Steam expects you to have a permanent, fast and stable internet connection and that you don't want to manage updates and stuff on your own, furthermore it assumes you are fine with that when you're installing the client or buying a game.
Even if Steam offers a selection of DRM-free titles right now, there is no way to tell it will remain this way in the future, even if you are willing to make sure they work later on and to back them up by yourself.
GOG knows that its userbase does not need, like or wants DRM, a large portion of them refuses to accept DRM in any way, shape or form.
Also, it built its name on selling old games in the past, this almost exclusively. They have to think of people with no permanent internet connection, maybe older laptops, who do not play more modern games. Be it because of habit, principle, required hardware or knowledge, not least financial concerns. GOGs clients want to access their games anytime, anywhere and thus expect them to work off the bat, because installing a patch or browsing online for a solution isn't always possible for them.
(Maybe because the patch didn't arrive here at all... *cough* *cough*) Because of these criteria it is surely more inclined to provide DRM-free installers against all odds, given it is the main selling point for most of its customers, it also provides means to its users to access their bought content.
I think it is great for developers to include DRM-free builds on Steam, too, I really do.
But they should be more vocal about it, promote this on the store page(Steam should add a specific category). As it is right know, it appears to me that it could have always been a mere oversight to not activate DRM on a game. Not mentioning "DRM-free" lets me question the intention of the developers and tarnishes their liability in case I run into problems later. Seems like a bet to me, anytime I think about it.
I'm fine myself with DRM-free builds on Steam, even if I don't trust them that much, depending on the game I'm even fine with Steam itself. Still, I trust GOG a lot more with handling DRM-free.
Given that many games took their time to arrive on here, I've learned to patiently wait a while until either they do, a developer made clear they never intend to offer this or I lose interest in the game altogether, myself.
Kudos to you, brave soul, who's read all the way down here.
Thanks you didn't tune out through that gibberish.
Heyho.
Midoryu
_______________________
“Believe those who are seeking the truth. Doubt those who find it.” André Gide(1869-1951), French author
Edited 12 minutes later: Added the "browsing for solution" part. Removed "ahem", because I wasn't sure if that's known in English this way. Added "Heyho" 2 times, added quote by Gide, because it's my signature normally, but GOG doesn't offer those. Edited again, because when you change an entire sentence you'd better read it afterwards, just in case. Edited 30 minutes later: Changed formatting. In case this helps somebody: If you want to write in italic and it stops working, the line you changed is too long/expands over multiple rows. Set smaller parts on italic, one line after another, then it shows as intended.