I know, I know it's an impossible situation. If only they had a "headlines" section on their main page where they could display such information for everyone to see. Or if they could send people emails informing them, that they are going to seriously alter the contents of the files in their libraries. If there was at least some way to make a thread about such matters somehow stand out from among the thousands of threads about absolutely everything else and not to dissappear in a few days when poeple stop actively discussing it.

If only.
I know, right? If only we could placidly and silently enjoy being rammed up the ass with a red hot poker by our corporate overlords. Alas, some of us lack that braindead zombie quality.

Game, set, match. Have this hard earned +1 from me. I completely agree.

I suspect if they were going to do a front page announcement they will do it the same time it's implemented. Given how well it's gone so far they might just avoid a front page announcement altogether now.

Well really they should have done it WAY ahead of time so all of us can get our Galaxy-less installers if we haven't already.

A little reality check here, we are talking about an extra checkbox to uncheck during install; yes it's annoying to have to uncheck it at every install, yes we can discuss about the good or bad, the ethical/unethical implication of opt-in / opt-out all day long, but in the end it's just that, an extra checkbox to uncheck and maybe a couple of extra MBs in the installers depending how they handle that. It's hardly something worth a front page post, heck even game removal are neither posted on the main page nor stickied.

No. It's about the switch from "Galaxy is optional" to "not using Galaxy is optional", which while subtle is a an important distinction, and coupled with notifications currently working only with Galaxy after the recent "improvements" showcases a pattern of pushing Galaxy by treating those who don't use it and don't want to use it as second class citizens.

I'd say that alterations to how GOG is providing it's services is much more worthy of it than some articles. It's just not as convenient.

And they should be in my opinion. Two wrongs don't make a right. Unfortunately yes, GOG has a habit of doing their best to give news they know will be met with negative reponse only the bare minimum of exposure ecessary to maintain the pretense of keeping users informed and "listening to our feedback".


Lastly- even if we are overreacting, I'd much rather send GOG a signal they'll read as "those people are crazy, we need to dial back on how we're pushing Galaxy and reasure the users it will not become mandatory at any point" than "those docile drones are swallowing everything we push their way. I think we are good to go with a mandatory client and other DRM".

And here's a little reality check for you: opt-out marketers are parasites -- and people who don't appreciate that aren't much better.

We don't know yet the extra size bloat that bundling Galaxy will cause, I doubt (but I might be wrong) they would include the full 150MB installer with every game especially when several games on the catalog are smaller than that.

If they bloat it any, it's too much. Hell I have to be selective as it is on which installers I store. Yeah i could get a bigger HDD at some point, but making it even more of a bitch wouldn't be a smart move either.

I personally feel that DRM-free will be something they won't give up on. And those who are saying "it's just business" are not quite correct, because being successful at business requires strategies and sense that actually work. Facts of the matter (as everyone has eloquently said) is that they will never "beat out" Steam. Even EA can't do that (outside selling their own games), and they are rich enough to buy up both GOG and Steam. The only kind of corporation who can unwrangle Steam's monopoly is one strong enough to force it out of their users, which is really only able to be done by huge monoliths like Microsoft, Google, Apple.. etc..

The only real reason I see anyone staying around is DRM-Free. Well, it's why I'm happily here. I think what GOG is trying to do is to make it so that the end user has a seamless experience regardless of what game services they were using prior. Like, if someone is transiting over from Steam, GOG wants to make sure that this user doesn't find using GOG anymore complicated and difficult from what they were used to. Or worse, someone from console gaming, who expects everything to be plug and play.

The issue is in the execution. How to balance the wants and needs of an audience who appreciates the better difference GOG provides, and a growing generation more and more used to technological convenience.

I would be worried about the DRM-Free factor if, in all ironies, Steam goes out of business. Because there would be a lot less incentive to go DRM-Free then. And man, it would be painful, if they pull that kind of 360.

It has been stated that size might be an issue:
https://www.gog.com/forum/general/offline_installers_with_an_option_to_install_gog_galaxy/post43

I find it unlikely that it will be a stub installer. They likely included much of Galaxy. Even if it was reduced from 150mb to 50mb it would still be too big. I'm hoping it's just a 2mb stub installer if this thing goes through (I'm hoping it doesn't).

When have opt-out marketers ever cared about the people they disrespect???

The only thing that matters to them is whether the consequences outweigh the benefits -- just like every other thief in this world.

Yet they don't care at all about the shit storm they have already provoked ... just read the thread and see how outraged people are. I really don't understand why GOG is doing this (meaning integrating Galaxy into installers and setting this install as default). People who are using GOG because of Galaxy (and even though it's hard to believe for myself I accept the simple truth that many, especially new customers, do like Galaxy) usually don't use backup installers at all. It is like GOG said: those people just want to install, auto update and play without any hassle. So why even bothering with a standalone installer? But even if I am wrong here - how often do you have to istall Galaxy if you want to use it? Just one time in your life. If I was a new GOGer I would only have to use the integrated Galaxy in the installer of my first game. So where exactly is the advantage for anybody in having this downloaded EVERY SINGLE TIME even though you'd only need to install it ONCE. Sorry, I just fail to see ANY logic here for Galaxy users and non Galaxy users for long time users as well as for newcomers. It just makes it worse for EVERYBODY and pisses every non Galaxy user extremely off.

It's an optional client. Calm down.