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General discussionList of DRM-free games on Steam(1292 posts)(1292 posts)
(1292 posts)
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This is my favourite topic
Posted May 27, 2020
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Leroux: EDIT: Oh wait, this thread hasn't been posted in for two years? Is there a new one that I overlooked?
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AB2012: Yeah this is the old thread. The new one is here:-
https://www.gog.com/forum/general/steam_games_you_can_play_without_the_steam_client
Whoops. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction! :)
Post edited May 27, 2020 by Leroux
Posted July 13, 2020
Devolverland Expo is DRM-Free

Tested on win10 64bit
Posted August 27, 2021
As much as I'd love to buy Velvet Assassin on gog, I'm afraid it won't arrive here in the near future. Did anyone try the Steam version if it is drm free there?
Posted August 27, 2021
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Woodwine22: As much as I'd love to buy Velvet Assassin on gog, I'm afraid it won't arrive here in the near future. Did anyone try the Steam version if it is drm free there?
The thread is outdated. You should ask your question here:
https://www.gog.com/forum/general/steam_games_you_can_play_without_the_steam_client/page1
Posted August 27, 2021
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Woodwine22: As much as I'd love to buy Velvet Assassin on gog, I'm afraid it won't arrive here in the near future. Did anyone try the Steam version if it is drm free there?
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Grargar: The thread is outdated. You should ask your question here:
https://www.gog.com/forum/general/steam_games_you_can_play_without_the_steam_client/page1
Thanks :)
Posted November 20, 2023
Half-Life, presumably still DRM-Free at Steam, is currently free, but that runs out today (20th).
Posted November 20, 2023
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Timboli: Half-Life, presumably still DRM-Free at Steam, is currently free, but that runs out today (20th).
Wrong, Half-Life 1 has never been DRM-free on Steam and I doubt the new update changes that (have to test this though). Only the retail version is DRM-free after patches.

edit: yep, it's still DRMed.
Post edited November 21, 2023 by russellskanne
Posted November 21, 2023
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Timboli: Half-Life, presumably still DRM-Free at Steam, is currently free, but that runs out today (20th).
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russellskanne: Wrong, Half-Life 1 has never been DRM-free on Steam and I doubt the new update changes that (have to test this though). Only the retail version is DRM-free after patches.
Can't you just run HL1 with Xash3D Engine/Port?
Posted November 21, 2023
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russellskanne: Wrong, Half-Life 1 has never been DRM-free on Steam and I doubt the new update changes that (have to test this though). Only the retail version is DRM-free after patches.
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MysterD: Can't you just run HL1 with Xash3D Engine/Port?
Yes, that works.
Posted November 24, 2023
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russellskanne: Wrong, Half-Life 1 has never been DRM-free on Steam and I doubt the new update changes that (have to test this though). Only the retail version is DRM-free after patches.

edit: yep, it's still DRMed.
Oops it appears I misremembered, and only the Half-Life 2 variants are DRM-Free Lite.
Posted August 08, 2024
thanks for this list
Posted October 13, 2024
Silent Hill 2 Remake.
Posted October 13, 2024
There is not any hint and i consider it very unlikely. Did Konami actually ever make something DRM free on the big platform, which is not on GOG?

https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Silent_Hill_2
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bazilisek: FAQ:

Q: But Steam is DRM!
A: That's not a question. And it isn't technically true. Steam's DRM solution (called "CEG" by Valve) is just one of many Steamworks components game developers may use, alongside achievements, cloud saving, the workshop, matchmaking network code etc.; just like with all the others, implementing it is not required to distribute a game on Steam. A game can use the other Steamworks features and still remain DRM-free.

Q: How do you determine if a game is DRM-free on Steam?
A: Simple: install the game and launch it once (this step is important, because this finalises the installation). Shut down Steam and temporarily move all the files in the root Steam folder somewhere else. Locate game folder, locate the .exe, run it. Either you get an error message (or it does nothing at all), or the game just runs. If it just runs, it is DRM-free.

Q: Game X has a source port which makes it effectively DRM-free.
A: True, but that isn't quite what this list is about. Obviously if you don't use the game executable at all, you are bypassing the CEG ("Custom Executable Generation") component completely. The idea is to determine whether the CEG component is actually present and active, which is something not advertised by Valve at all.
If it can not run without the account, in this case "account bound", it is a DRM, out of question. It does not matter how those "locked demands" are called. Obviously a game need a OS and hardware in order to run, but anything above this is in most cases (except online only games) unnecessary.

There might be ways "circumventing" it but those methods may become so "deep" (cracked exe for example) that it is almost same as getting a pirated version (which is basically removing the whole idea of getting it legally). Some games may work with emulators and what else but this is already "advanced knowledge" 99% of users may not bother or are not capable to deal with and there is no "easy workaround". Simply to state some blunt matters, not creating a bright blue sky here... a DRM is simply a DRM, no matter how it is done.

Indeed... there are a lot of DRM free games around but most of it is rather crap... stuff most users might not get, no matter its shape. The truly good stuff is around 1-2 dozens (almost for any taste, unless someone is a "hardcore indie lover", they may get hundreds), not much more. For most of us it can enrich the usual DRM free collection but thats it.

As for how DRM free games, no matter GOG, Steam, EGS works: If someone is not using the requested interface (in most cases in order to allow online functionalities) because the required executables are NOT installed, a DRM free game may still run but in a "non online mode", so basically fully offline. It does not mean it can not work online, instead even being able even to run "offline only".
Post edited October 13, 2024 by Xeshra
Posted November 17, 2024
Thank you for the list.
Post edited November 17, 2024 by CocoMaiden004
Posted November 17, 2024
Half Life 2 isn't DRM-free anymore after the latest update.
Post edited November 17, 2024 by russellskanne
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This is my favourite topic
Community
General discussionList of DRM-free games on Steam(1292 posts)(1292 posts)
(1292 posts)