Yeah um, just so you know, Steam doesn't sell any ScummVM games. The LucasArts stuff they sell runs natively on Windows, no third party software is used. :)

Broken Sword 2 on Steam uses scummvm. You're right that that the LucasArts games don't. Someone here on GOG pointed me towards this script for converting the LucasArts Adventures pack to a scummvm-compatible form: https://github.com/symm/LAAExtract/

Well, consider me corrected. I thought they used a native Windows client for that one.

Also, I thought the ScummVM devs didn't want to add the Windows versions of the games to ScummVM to prevent any legality issues.

That's right that they haven't added native detection for the Steam re-releases even though it would be trivial. So instead the author of that script just worked out how the files were packed differently to the original releases, and wrote a script to pack it in the original way. The relevant blog post is here:

http://sev-notes.blogspot.com/2009/07/steam-releases-vs-scummvm.html

asb with the save for me randomly saying scummVM games without confirming first.

Could you explain how this one works? The website is not very informative.

"It believes its tighter links to a dedicated community will foster better relationships between player and developer."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desura

However going at the games section they offer pretty much standard games. Civilization 4 for example and I doubt they offer them without DRM. They even don't specify which DRM is used. So, it looks like a Steam clone, if you ask me.

Desura is a sister branch of ModDB and IndieDB. In other words, its focus is on indie games. If I remember correctly, it works like GOG, meaning completely DRM-free, although I may be wrong on this one.

Tried Desura last week (got from different Indie Bundles some keys). I would call it an indie steam. Like lowyhong already said, it's main focus is on easy installing and updating mods and indie games. Personally it's not my cup of tea, I prefer to backup my installers. About DRM I really can't say anything, except that you need the program to install them. Like steam there is an offline-modus, which I didn't tested.

A question: Long time ago I found on Strategy Informer an advirtesement for Gamewatcher. They also started as a drm-free service, but it seems they have now some drm-games onboard. I didn't tested it, because they use only moneybrookers as payment service. They have Kings Bounty Armored Princess drm-free, which makes me a little bit wondered. Anyone familiar with this site?

I'd like to know that too.
All I can say, is that for GTA San Andreas downloading the old 'gta_sa.exe' (version 1.01)worked for me. The steam version is 1.02 and called 'gta-sa.exe', I think. I suppose it's something similiar for Overlord.
In any case my gta runs completely without steam.

Short story: Replace the game's exe with a cracked one.

Long story:

1. Download the game through Steam, and then exit Steam (try to keep Steam shut down if it starts again).
2. Copy the game's files in a folder outside of Steam's folder.
3. Check the game's files, like the readmes, dats, exes, or maybe see if the in-game screens display some info about the version of the game.
4. Go to gamecopyworld.com and download a cracked exe matching the game's version.
5. Archive the game's files for the future.
6. ?????
7. Profit!

After step 4 I also edit the ini files, config files, or similar files to suit the game's settings for my system the next time I install the game. And I also make an installer with Advanced Installer, but this is not necessary. A .rar or .zip archive would do just fine.

(note that some games require their registry keys to work properly, but this is very rare... all of this also can cause you problems with the game has multiplayer and the servers check for serial numbers (if you haven't backed up / reinserted the serial numbers))

(but for single player games, it works 100%)

Well if you use a crack than almost anything is DRM free.

...and when the publishers add an additional form of DRM on their overpriced rentals (which Steam is in fact) for some that is the legitimate way to go.

They're not DRM-free in the sense of GOG or DotEmu, more like GamersGate in that they don't have any DRM of their own. If the dev gives them DRM-free then they sell DRM-free, if the dev gives them Tages then they sell Tages. The client works a bit like Steam except you don't need the client to play the games. Best of both worlds IMO.