rjbuffchix: The particular smaller stores that I have in mind (and which we are no longer allowed to link to on this forum, otherwise I wouldn't be so coy talking about them) are purely DRM-free without exceptions, unlike GOG which has content and modes locked behind the so-called "optional" Galaxy client in several games.
eric5h5: OK, so which are they? You can say what they are without linking to them, so there's no need to hide behind being coy. If you're going to say the usual ones like Itch, those are not purely DRM-free.
I was erring on the side of caution, but I suppose you're right. Places I had in mind here were Zoom-Platform, JAST USA, Kagura Games, Fireflower Games. There are also individual studios like Soldak Entertainment where one can essentially buy from a specific developer.
I agree itch is not a purely DRM-free store. Though there are many DRM-free games there, the fact that one does have to "research" means it's not really better on a macro level than GOG's various client/online requirements in some games.
Braggadar: While I'd agree GOG has releases which have gated content, I hope you're not comparing apples with oranges. Saying that "another store" has all DRM-free titles might be factually correct, but that's not necessarily impressive in comparison to GOG unless they have DRM-free versions of the titles GOG featured gated content with.
I'm not in the slightest defending GOG's asinine decisions to allow gated SP content. No, not at all. But I have to call into question lauding one store over another if their catalogue isn't the same at all. I'll be more interested when they offer a title gated on GOG but fully DRM-free on theirs.
There is some overlap in stores; particularly with Zoom-Platform. For a time, there were sequels only available there yet not on GOG, despite GOG having some entries of a series. Iirc, I had read somewhere that GOG had rejected Konung 3 despite having 1 and 2, though I believe it did eventually arrive here. There are some Men of War/Commando game sequels still there DRM-free but not on GOG.
You do have a point of course. To me that is why it is so important GOG doesn't slide further away from what I consider actual DRM-free gaming. None of these other stores are releasing Skyrim.
As for "gated," it's not quite how you mean it, but JAST USA has an uncensored version of Full Metal Daemon: Muramasa whereas the GOG version is apparently censored, with the patch reportedly not doing anything to restore certain scenes. I believe The Dead End has an uncensored version/added patch on Kagura Games but the GOG version lacks this.
pds41: I'd add that to compare apples with apples, the "other store" would need to have DRM-free versions
that includes the content that GOG has gated. Otherwise, you're basically getting, at best, the same product.
This may be "cheating" your point but Zoom-Platform has Aliens vs. Predator Classic 2000 which doesn't require the Galaxy client for multiplayer there as the multiplayer appears to be stripped out, to the best of my understanding.
Edit: clarity
