So we've already had the Defcon thing where we're finding out some rather unsavoury things regarding GOG's supposed DRM-free releases.. a universal key tied to a server? REALLY? In what universe is that DRM-FREE? But now we have a second case.. The Vanishing of Ethan Carter Redux when run opens Steam and won't run without the Steam .dlls.

What's going on GOG?.. I may have accepted 'mistake' (although it's a bad one considering that you go over the releases to supposedly to make sure the games comply with your policies!) it you hadn't been so damned shady with the above key issue.. YOU MUST HAVE KNOWN THAT'S NOT ANY KIND OF DEFINITION OF DRM-FREE ANY OF US WHO USE YOUR SITE WOULD EXPECT.. but now this happens.

I'm not entirely sure what to think.. are you making unreasonable mistakes considering the policies you've built your name on, or is this some kind of stealth policy change/definition of DRM switcheroo you're trying to sneak by us in increments?

It's bad enough that your comments shifted focus of the Defcon issue to the fact that it was 'an old key' which still doesn't deal with the actual issue in the least.. but you've stayed away from any comment at all on the Redux issue?

I buy from this site for one reason, and one reason only, I don't want DRM OF ANY SHAPE OR FORM in my gaming purchases and this has been your very public policy (up to now?).. If you are unable to stick to your existing policy or have any intention of changing said policy, then please make a public state about it so I can make a better informed opinion as to where I am willing to purchase.

wait really? Your GOG version of EC Redux calls up Steam?

Surely you're not the only person if this is the case. If so, I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation.

If I'm not mistaken, the DEFCON issue was fixed a while ago for Windows and Mac users, though a Linux fix is still not available.

As for Ethan Carter starting Steam, I have heard that a lot of games on GOG come with neutralized Steam .dll files, with the GOG version basically being a cracked Steam version. Needing those files is nothing new, nor is it DRM. The game starting Steam is almost certainly a bug though, and nothing to worry about.

Aside from the fact that a large proportion of their customers would be gone overnight if they started purposely allowing working DRM in their releases, they are trying to be a competitor to Steam. If a game you bought here is somehow causing Steam to open when you try to run it, you can rest assured that that was not intended by GOG.

Installed it just now to test. I don't have Steam on my computer; never had.
Had no problem launching the game and beginning to play.
I did get a Windows alert that the game is requesting access to my network but I didn't allow it.
There is a Steam DLL among the game's files, but I don't see any reason to be alarmed by it or consider it DRM.

I'm sure whatever it is is either a bug that has been fixed or will be fixed.

Either way, this thread reminded me that I needed to try out TVoEC.

Gee, some game abbreviations require a bit of effort don't they? I'd have no idea what you were talking about if we weren't already in the thread for said game.

I'm not saying that it's allright, it's not, but I would be a lot more upset if the game would lock one out in case it couldn't reach the master server. As I understand it, it's like attempted online de-activation now, which is considerably better than online activation. Once the master server goes down, it'll be better off for it.

I'm sure that no game from GOG requires Steam, that would make no sense. It probably gets started by some sort of an accident, but only if you have it installed. Have you tried filing a support ticket?

That's how a lot of games handle the absence of Steam. The only way to test if a game is "DRM-neutral" in Steam is to rename the Steam directory or uninstall Steam and then run the game, because otherwise the game's calls to steam_api.dll will cause the Steam client to open if it can find it.

However, it is folly to assume that PC gamers are either/or - most do use both Steam and GOG.

I really did not feel like typing it out.

REALLY not feeling it.
It's kind of a long name.

At least it's still not as bad as The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II: The Rise of the Witch-king.

TLotR:TBfMEII:TRotWK

I'm not sure if hyphens are required.

TLotR:TBfM-EII:TRotW-K

So... you log in in Galaxy, start the game, and Steam log in pops-up? :D Nice...

So... has anyone, who has Steam installed, tried it? The OP at least?

Either way, if it tries to launch Steam upon game start, I'd consider that as a bug and a nuisance, not DRM. It would be DRM if it required that Steam client and to be logged in online for installation and/or running the game.

To the OP: why do you have Steam client installed on your PC anyway? Aren't you a true believer for DRM-free?!? :)