How is a preload compatible with "no DRM"? Can I play it after I've downloaded it?

Yes, but only after it's "unlocked" on release day, obviously.

Which they could have done with offline installers as well (by leaving out a crucial small file, like the EXE for example), but I guess preparing these would have been too much work.

I've read a couple of dev interviews about them learning quite a bit through the trials and tribulations of creating, launching, and consequently fixing/patching up Kingmaker. If anything WotR ought to be in a much more robust state due to that experience.

Haven't gotten around to playing Kingmaker yet, in part because the scenario in WotR is a lot more to my liking.

The thing is, the developers promise A LOT of different stuff, and I'd like to see some opinions on how they implemented it.

More galaxy only preloads, good on you for the “optional” client!

The client is optional. You don't need it to play the game once it's released. Pre-load is not a crucial thing. I'd rather see it as an optional feature. Pretty much like Galaxy only multiplayer in some games. It really doesn't go further than this.

Galaxy-only multiplayer in some games is ALSO a problem and a conflict with DRM-free values. But that's anothert topic. When prior games were available as offline installer preloads too, there really is no excuse for this.

If Galaxy, let alone "GOG Galaxy 2.0 the mother of all clients" is so great, why are all the "tricks" to give it an advantage necessary? People paid good money for this game and are treated worse than Galaxy customers.

Wasting your time. “Moderators” were reactivated a few months back to deal with the cyberjunk debacle and are on every thread defending that and galaxy. It’s just another reason not to buy anything here.

I know, but when their quotes don't pass the smell test, I can't help but comment. As bad and anti-consumer as the pre-order exclusive is, at least Pathfinder doesn't appear to have content locked behind online verification and client usage the way Cyberpunk does.

Yay! I can't wait to play another buggy and unbalanced game at launch!!

Client does not equal DRM, FYI. I plan to use Galaxy because it's a new game that will be patched frequently and whatnot, and then once it's complete I will download an offline installer for backing up, and DRM is never a part of that equation at all.

I will clarify my beef in this particular thread is that the preload is only offered to Galaxy users (and that Galaxy is treated above offline, so-called "backup", installers). So sorry for any sloppiness in my wording there.

And great, enjoy, SV...that still doesn't explain why the preload can't be available offline when, evidently, it was in the past (for CDPR titles, at that).

I don't know that early access on Galaxy is DRM so much as it is annoying and counterproductive since it in my view treats some customers better than others. But multiplayer requiring Galaxy I do maintain is DRMed.

galaxy for multiplayer in some games isn't an option though.

What more, even if you install the game with Galaxy, you can still run it without the client by going into the game folder and launching the appropriate .exe file. What else is needed to pass the DRM-free condition? :)
What do you mean precisely?