Needing Galaxy for the multiplayer is really not a bad thing in itself. Requiring the game to be tied to your account before you can use that multiplayer is a form of DRM however.

There's many good reasons why multiplayer requires a form of control on who gets to play, but that doesn't change what it is.

There is zero proof that Galaxy has ever caused any security issues. I was one of the very first to use Galaxy all the way back in very early alpha. Never had a security issue. It's more than likely that these people who have, have duplicated passwords on other game sites, etc., that have been hacked, far more likely scenario.

I have to agree with you on their coding habits though, my hope is that they will improve in time... but once the framework is fully laid out it might become a nightmare to maintain.

Well it technically is part of the game. The game relies on GOG's backend to handle multiplayer. I can understand not wanting to use a client, but GOG made it clear only online gaming on GOG will be built around Galaxy when they announced it and that one would only need to use if they wanted to connect online. There are a lot of logistical reasons for this and it's not as simple as one might think.

That's not really true. GOG gives the developer an SDK and access to API's they can use. This makes development much more simpler and easier. Same thing Steam does. When a dev transitions from steamworks to GOG, they typically had issues because GOG had nothing similar which often times led to GOG getting gimped versions or none at all.

Devs can provide the direct IP connections or LAN, etc. like they always have, the truth is though those fell out of popularity long ago. Most people want account based multiplayer with connected services like GOG, Steam, XBL, etc. Rarely do games release today with their own multiplayer service.

The words "just download it and shut up..." comes to mind. :S

I think you have a case for a return if the description was only updated 2 days before release. I remember looking at the pre-order store page for that game and it was just completely blank with a few screenshots.

I just assume anything remotely high profile is going to require Galaxy for multiplayer, which is a big no buy for me too.

As for Galaxy causing security issues, that's mostly just idiots installing malware infected verisons of it.

hmmmm.....

I still would rather prefer going with Galaxy then as you say using other forms, which like gamespy, which can go offline any moment and without any control by GOG.
So GOG is offering a method allowing MP via an add-on. So what, in most others cases (or better to say in ALL) you have to sign up to a third party website or whatever before you can play MP.
As others already pointed out, BLAME THE DEVS! They decided not to implement it!
At least with Galaxy it is all in ONE hand. And I trust GOG more then other companies. (regarding certain decisions, reasons stated already by other users).
So that leaves you in the moment as a person being unhappy with the wrong people.
Look at other games, even with steam releases you quite often have to sign up with uplay, or whatever before you can play MP.
So THAT GOG is offering an inhouse solution has to be appreciated!!!
And for playing co-op: Yes there the days when the DEVS implemented just for this LAN-connections, but the DEVS decided to take out this part or rather NOT too implement it.
What has it got to do with the rambling: (sorry no other way for me to say it) Which brings up your rambling about what you have read about galaxy. listening to some people rambling about Galaxy is not the same as being the truth.
I do not condemn people who do not like Galaxy (fine with me ;) ) I also support the stance, Galaxy optional, just stated to make it clear!!!
BUT as some might say ;) take of your tin foil hat and think a wee bit, will ya ;) ?
Most devs nowadays do not implement ANY LAN support anymore, they prefer to have something else, with Galaxy, GOG can actually deliver a platform which allows GOG to go to the devs and say, oh you devs you are so afraid of piracy (example) we have a tool for it called Galaxy.
And this does not take into account features like matchmaking and and and. (agreed not needed for co-op).
Where YOU and others are right, and there you would have my support, IF they would use it for ALL games and for OFFLINE mode!

Two different things, right? ;)

But again GOG always tried to keep their promises, sometimes with 'funny' looking workarounds (see regional pricing) but they TRY to KEEP their promises.
And another advantage of Galaxy: There are some older MP games which are not really playable anymore as the servers have been taken offline, with Galaxy GOG can (and will maybe) patch those games to have MP for them again. Is this not good as in GOODOldGames? ;)
Are you feeling disappointed, yes for sure, but again, blame the devs and not GOG, it was their decision to not implement LAN/WAN support on their own.
And yes Galaxy is not yet finished and needs to be improved!!! ;)
Edit: see below

I think you are in the moment in a rage mode ;)

I removed DRM as I agree that is a mater of personal flavour ;)

If you are interested we can supply you with more information on this topic than what you falsely stated there ;):

Coding nowadays is nothing like the good old way of coding, you do not really code anymore (like in assembler) you are using tools for it. And implementing IP connectivity CAN involve paying a royalty to use existing solutions, UNLESS the devs would create a solution on their own. Which IS really hard work!!!

IP-direct as in this? Royalty!!!

And developing IP solution is not easy: think of wall hack and similar.

And again those false claims about bwah bwah my account has been hacked because of Galaxy....... Sorry I also have been with Galaxy alpha and I was crazy enough to do network traces to precisely check for this and no it was never what people claimed. PLUS think here again, IF Galaxy would have such a flaw a shitload of more persons would be involved then just this handful, or? ;)

Do you really have to type enter after almost every sentence, it's a pain to read.

better?
Edit, was looking better with enter in the pop-up window

Yeah, it would be nice to have something like a preview before posting. But GOG probably wants to stay retro at all costs ;)

Hence I asked and gave a link.

But as I stated prior: Implementing IP is not easy. (if you have something really specific in mind, please POST it)
Which IP, IP4, IP6? with or without ipsec? Which ports, What support do you give? And the list goes on.
You are narrowly focused on Co-OP, which is ONLY a small part of MP as well as the whole LAN/WAN problems.
Just think a bit here again, imagine they would implement as you suggested and then people would complain as well, why is this not there , why why why.....
The main reason for my reply was to think of the far worth alternatives.

And again you are making unproven assumptions, see bold, and that is not the job of GOG, but AGAIN of the DEV!.

With the buttons for galaxy, I agree ;)

And the rambling was in connection with the rage mode ;)

More importantly, majority of internet providers don't even assign unique IP addresses - and with transfer from IPv4 to IPv6, implementing that kind of functionality is just futile. I just want everybody to implement LAN support. Specifics don't really matter then, they can be wrapped and made to work over the internet years from now.

LAN certainly seems the most ideal way to go. I play a lot of old gog games online using LAN emulation and I've said in the past that gog should adopt that as a method (if not THE method) of online multiplayer in Galaxy. I'd almost be tempted to use it if it provided static port LAN emulation across all games with LAN.

>Me presses Start button to access Start Screen
>Me presses my quickly pinned GOG icon

or

>Me presses Start button
>Me presses my game 'launcher' folder.
>Me double clicks the game I want

Both faster as they bypass Galaxy's loading time, which does take its merry time in order to show up.

what the hell ? gog galaxy required for multiplayer ?? from when ?? i still play my games without it aka the multiplayer games neverwinter nights 1 & 2 , unreal, quake 2, avp 2000 did they add some patch later ??