As most people know, DRM-free means the games can be shared with torrents very easily, I guess GOG isn't happy about it. Lately I've been using Steam too, and I don't think it's that bad. The main drawback is that you need an active internet connection basically all the time, but most people here probably have it anyway, at least you need it to download games... So why people hate DRM? Old DRMs were invasive and/or bothersome, requiring cd checks, etc, but a DRM on the model of Steam's isn't bothersome at all to me. I have to say I don't use GOG Galaxy and I think I never will, unless it becomes something spectacular. Steam has mod integration through Workshop and for this reason alone is ahead of everything that Galaxy can do right now. Personally I'd trade the DRM-freeness for mod integration very willingly, but I'd also like to be able to install my games when I'm not connected to the internet.

There was GOG Downloader, where you logged in, so it had access to your account. If the DRM were limited to the actual setup program, I'd find it acceptable. That is, if GOG Downloader or a similar lightweight installation launcher checked if you actually own the game on GOG: the launcher would download the list of the games you own, then (even offline) whenever you run a GOG installer it would check if you own the game, if you don't you wouldn't be able to install it. It would be problematic for all the current installers for which you can find torrents, but the program could check the registry to find installations of GOG games you don't own or similar things.

I mean, let's face it, DRM-free is great but it's a double-bladed thing. I repeat I'd trade it for additional services (mainly mod hosting and automatic download/integration of mods/configuration tweaks/whatever).

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Edit:

Ok sorry to have brought this argument this way, I'd never say that GOG should adopt DRM as Steam or even worse Origin does, but there are different types of DRM in the sense of ways to protect digital rights. I still prefer buying games on GOG being DRM-free, but...

I mean, you can't copy a car, but you can copy software, it's perfectly understandable that developers try to protect their products with some mean. The fact that most DRMs are useless, harmful and with lots of inconveniences is a different problem. But a DRM that doesn't make it harder for the customer, that doesn't prevent offline installation or future use in any condition wouldn't bother me, and I would understand it because you cannot ignore the fact that totally DRM-free games are pirated much more easily than others.

I already corrected myself in subsequent posts after the OP, but people keep flaming me for that one, well. I didn't mean to offend anybody's sensibilities and I'm not some Steam lackey or uberfan, if you thought so, since I still prefer GOG over it, when I find the games that interest me at comparable prices.

The ONLY reason why I brought up this, is because I think at the future of the VG market, GOG included. Steam DRM doesn't prevent it from being successful, and I'm worrying that the easiness with which GOG games can be shared in the net through torrents can harm it in the long way. That was all.

Q: do you work for securom - or another numpty company?!

No, and just to clarify, I'm writing this because I realized that even with DRM, I tend to use Steam a lot, and check it far more often than GOG nowadays, because of the additional services, and I'd like to see them on GOG too, and if the price were some form of bland DRM I wouldn't mind it. I also know that DRM doesn't prevent games being cracked/pirated/torrented, it just makes it more difficult to be shared. I mean, even Steam games are regularly cracked, the big ones at least.

Nexus > Steam for mods.

... and it isn't even close.

Thanks for the reply.

I like Steam better, because I don't have to worry myself with load orders and somewhat abstract install instructions. Also, Nexus download speeds are horrible for me.

I still use Nexus from time to time, I just wish more games used Steam Workshop and that it allowed for mods like the Skyrim Script Extender to be used there - Since it doesn't, I end up using both sites :P

Ok I agree with your points, and I wouldn't be for a kind of DRM that forces you to be connected to the net, or that would prevent you from installing your games in the future etc. About Steam games being pirated, yes, but you can't find ALL of them, just the big ones, because it still takes some work, while you can find most GOG games on torrent sites.
Then, if GOG manages to grant more services while staying DRM-free it's all for the best.

Is DRM bad?

Not with mustard and some good sauer kraut

The reason I don't like DRM much isn't about it being bothersome. It is more about that I don't like having some nasty-ass corporation playing big-brother on me just because I want to install some shitty game.

The cool thing about gog is that I don't need to run their setup programs to get to my games' data. So I can download the file, extract the needed data files and run a native port or emulator for the game on my openbsd gaming rig. Thank GOG that Galaxy is optional. DRM in the setup tool would probably take away this vital freedom I have.

Somewhat complicated question, in that it depends on what form(s) of DRM a game uses, and also upon the feelings of each individual user.

I wouldn't have a problem with Steam if the client were optional. But it's not optional, and it's something that can prevent you from playing many of the games you might buy.

When it is place of a community, gives you social stuff and not just a DRM, I can deal with it.
But when It is a completely pointless and broken system like Uplay or Origin ahh....

Usually I log in to Steam because I want to talk with my gamer friends. I log in to Origin or Uplay because it forces me to log in when I want to play with games....

Just to prevent wild criticism to my post, I've made up my mind a bit. I just think to the kind of light DRM that is found on many DRM-free Ebooks, inside which is often written "this ebook belongs to..", in a way that isn't accessible to the reader, but that makes it "personal", to mark the setup files this way wouldn't harm in any way and it would at least allow GOG to track down the accounts used by torrent makers.

All steam games get cracked and torrented very quickly, most of them on the day of release. DRM isn't a copy protection at all. It's just a pain in the a** for the custumer, who's bound on a "service" that is unnecessary. I just want to download a game and play it and want to OWN it. You don't own steam games, they are just rented.
DRM is the baddest thing that ever happened to PC gaming. And because of this Gabe Newell never received a cent from me since the release of Half-Life 2.