Steam is DRM.

in your view

No, objectively. Like how 2+2 = 4.

Whether steam is acceptable or not is subjective.

Thanks. I was hoping for a full soundtrack to Wizardry 7, but as it stands, there is no reason for me to buy this bundle, since I already own the games I want.

I can download DRM free games via Steam, so in my subjective view, Steam itself is not DRM. You may object to this, but this is just your view. It is not mine.

But you can't.

Facts and opinions are not the same thing.

But I can....

No it is a DD client that provides many optional services on top of just distibution. It happens to offer DRM functionality but developers and publishers are free not use them if they want to. Some of the games on Steam don't use any DRM.

That's essentially what I've called "DRM-free-lite" or "DRM-lite" - similar to the Gamersgate model - where a DRM-free version is usually possible but they make you jump through hoops to get it, and where the final result is so inelegant that you might as well just buy it off Humble Store or GOG in the first place (assuming HS offers it DRM-free, which is becoming an increasing rarity there).

Also, there is a minority of games available on Steam where you get a registration code that you can use elsewhere to download a DRM-free version. Obviously The Witcher 1 & 2 fall under this umbrella, as do the Mount & Blade games. Anyone know of others?

"Digital Rights Management (DRM) is a class of technologies[1] that are used by hardware manufacturers, publishers, copyright holders, and individuals with the intent to control the use of digital content and devices after sale;"

If you "copy/paste Steam game folders onto other PCs for playing WITHOUT Steam," then per this definition Steam itself is not DRM.

This is perfectly fine. I've bought some of Arcen Game's titles on Steam when they were on sale knowing I could grab the versions on his site. Offline CD-key required, but I'm fine with that.

Mount and Blade still requires online authentication though.

Yeah, but full disclosure, I've been told that copy/paste onto a PC which doesn't have Steam might not work for all games; personally, I only tried with two so far. I am going to experiment more with this.

However, I have been able to play many Steam DRM-free games without logging into steam client on a PC which has Steam client installed; I don't know if having the client there makes a difference. But what I like most of all is being able to download Steam games and play Steam games at the same time.

Also, I think that DRM-free games by definition should also include uninhibited access to game installers, which Steam DRM-free games do not allow.

Don't Starve.

Didnt some of the Arcen games (Valley without wind, AI war) fall into this territory too? Specifically A Valley without wind 1 and Tidalis (and AI war/Some expansions) with the trial versions on their site?