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Hi...quick question:
I'm just curious about something. I joined GOG at least in part because it has a reputation for being an alternative to other more DRM-heavy clients. Indeed, the endpoints from which I ordered a couple of games advertised "No DRM and no connection necessary to play," or something similar. OK, fine...so, how come the first thing the game installer does is install a typical online client? And, why is it that even when I disconnect from the client app and launch the game from my local install, the client is instantly launched? I don't mind GOG being just another internet-connected launcher, but why did the site give me the impression it was something else?
Thanks
Post edited December 28, 2020 by yoosernaime
high rated
Hey there. Welcome to GOG. ( :

Unfortunately, you have fallen into the galaxy client trap. GOG are trying so hard to push galaxy on everyone, and trying to hide the normal offline installers.

First thing I recommend is to uninstall the galaxy client. You don't need that to access your games.

Download the games from your account here.
https://www.gog.com/account

Ignore the blue 'Install For Galaxy' banner. Below that, you'll see the normal installers that don't need any client.

Good luck.
GOG Galaxy is indeed becoming just another DRM-launcher. It didn't start out that way, but it's now become that to a large extent.

GOG is not 100% DRM-free any more. And the percentage of it that it is DRM-free will just keep further reducing in the future.
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FrodoBaggins: First thing I recommend is to uninstall the galaxy client. You don't need that to access your games.
Not entirely true in all cases; for example you do need the Galaxy client to access the DRM-gated content in No Man's Sky, Absolver, and Cyberpunk.
Post edited December 28, 2020 by Ancient-Red-Dragon
It used to be much better. GOG Galaxy is a disaster. I say as I'm ONCE again downloading it because it crashed. It takes forever to install games because it adds an extra bloat layer that is the crappy app called GOG Galaxy.

I used to recommend GOG over Steam to everybody, but I no longer see the point. It's not what it once was. I guess the Witcher success distracted them from what once made this a great alternative to Steam.

Time for a new upstart company I think!

BG3 keeps crashing. Early Access so fine, not specifically GOG's fault. But the stupid program doesn't even recognize the game as being installed anymore, so I can't uninstall it via Galaxy. LOLOLOL. What a joke.
Post edited December 28, 2020 by DuchessWow
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DuchessWow: BG3 keeps crashing. Early Access so fine, not specifically GOG's fault. But the stupid program doesn't even recognize the game as being installed anymore, so I can't uninstall it via Galaxy. LOLOLOL. What a joke.
Can you uninstall it via "Programmes and Features" in settings/control panel?
One of the reasons why use GOG is because client is not required, although I fear things may change with the way things are going in recent years.


If you want to avoid using the client, you can use "DOWNLOAD OFFLINE BACKUP GAME INSTALLERS".
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FrodoBaggins: Hey there. Welcome to GOG. ( :

Unfortunately, you have fallen into the galaxy client trap. GOG are trying so hard to push galaxy on everyone, and trying to hide the normal offline installers.

First thing I recommend is to uninstall the galaxy client. You don't need that to access your games.

Download the games from your account here.
https://www.gog.com/account

Ignore the blue 'Install For Galaxy' banner. Below that, you'll see the normal installers that don't need any client.

Good luck.
Thanks very much for the replies from various members. They corroborate what I suspected to be the case. Since I built my Windows machine as a dedicated gamer and isolated it from my larger network, I suppose I'll stick with Galaxy, at least for the time being. I already use four other launchers anyway. Disappointing. Owell...thanks again.
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yoosernaime: And, why is it that even when I disconnect from the client app and launch the game from my local install, the client is instantly launched? I don't mind GOG being just another internet-connected launcher, but why did the site give me the impression it was something else?
Thanks
If you installed the game using Galaxy then using the game icon will launch Galaxy, but if you launch the game using the game EXE then it will launch directly.
avatar
yoosernaime: Hi...quick question:
I'm just curious about something. I joined GOG at least in part because it has a reputation for being an alternative to other more DRM-heavy clients. Indeed, the endpoints from which I ordered a couple of games advertised "No DRM and no connection necessary to play," or something similar. OK, fine...so, how come the first thing the game installer does is install a typical online client? And, why is it that even when I disconnect from the client app and launch the game from my local install, the client is instantly launched? I don't mind GOG being just another internet-connected launcher, but why did the site give me the impression it was something else?
Thanks
What game are you having trouble with? I just tried Amid Evil and Crypt of the Necrodancer without Galaxy turned on and both worked like a charm.