Judging by the conversation going on in the most recent backer-only Kickstarter update, it looks like they honestly believed DRM-free was to blame for piracy and now they've realized that they shot themselves in the foot, PR-wise, and are struggling to stem the bleeding without admitting that they originally did plan to screw over DRM-free backers. (What they're saying comes across like a politician saying "no comment" because an implicit admission of guilt is better than an explicit one.)

Honestly, it just comes across as pathetic and, if I ever do back another project which any of those guys are involved in, it'll be $1 and only so I can remind them of this fiasco in the backer-specific comments and tell them that they'll receive the rest of my money after they've handed off a performant, bug-free, DRM-free Linux build to GOG for me to download within GOG's refund period.

Lol, I was actually just looking around trying to figure out why it's not out yet on gog. Good to see it's coming soon. Really liked the first one, hopefully we'll see the 3rd installment on gog without silly delays :P

WAHOOOOO

That's the thing, I suppose. I think this is a good thing, the facts happened, I mean. This show drm is not a remedy for piracy, just a hassle for the gamers.

I just love that they make this sort of discussions "backers-only".

As for the "honestly believed DRM-free was to blame for piracy" - did they really not notice that the first game was being pirated even before the GOG/DRM-free release? I find it hard to believe.

We can only hope that things will go differently regarding DRM-free when Ep3 is ready.


Have you inquired why there's no DRM-free Linux build?

This is fucking sweet. I am going to rub it into their noises with the whole "we never said never" shtick.

You guys want some explanation, it's fairly simple :

Here is Banner Saga :
http://steamspy.com/app/237990

Here is Banner Saga 2 :
http://steamspy.com/app/281640

BS2 launch have been a disaster and they are looking in a hurry at ways to mitigate it.

They're still saying "we never said"... but then I can go back and dig up direct quotes such as this line which was in among claims of being too busy for anything but a Steam-only release:

Wont be buying it even drm free as it annoys me that drm free gets blamed for all the evils by developers then when they realize that is not true that quickly try and cover their tracks. S

I know and I called them out on it, but they are slimier than the most corrupt, greased-up politician. We will see what steps they decide to take next.

Except that a couple of Stoic's people have not started as indie devs, and it was more than apparent in he exchanges I had with them during their Kickstarter campaign. Even the "always-on DRM" you mention is a big publisher (mainstream) approach.

I said I hope things will go differently, as now there's even more stuff they've said and done on the table. Doing the same next time, will be perceived as worse, and will cost them much more credibility and following, perhaps even any and all they still have.

Hum, interesting. I doubt I'll buy it at release, after this mess, but it's none the less good to see it will be available here.

Regardless of the controversy, I was one of the people who got pretty pissed that they had decided not to sell on GOG (specially because I'm loving the first game). So much so that I even considered the idea of pirating their game (since it was the only way I could enjoy it - as I don't have a Steam account).

I salute them for rethinking their decision. When they launch their game on GOG I'll purchase it and enjoy the DRM-free experience.

2nd that. I may wait for the trilogy to appear before buying.