Well, I had left out a bit of info in that post, I edited it just now to include it. you see, there was a download button on the GG site for the game and it basically allowed me to d/l an uninstallable version of the game from GG, the game can only be downloaded and installed from Steam, but on saying that I did have a brain fart and wasnt paying attention either :)

... not only that, but you bought that game when you could've used the CD key in your retail box to activate the game on Steam.

And then use your retail discs to install the game, while letting Steam download any necessary updates.

I want to ask. In general, what DRM does Gamersgate and Green Man Gaming use for their games?

And anyone knows the DRM for Amazon Digital Downloads?

Yep, it's a bit confusing that GamersGate offers their own downloads for Steam games. I'm not quite sure why they are doing this. There are probably some scenarios in which such a download _would_ be welcome (i.e. server problems on part of Steam, which does happen from time to time), but as far as I can see, Steam won't even recognize the GG download in most cases.

I didnt know that but I tend to try to avoid using Steam, anyway, if I could have been bothered to go to my attic and get the discs I wouldnt have bothered downloading the game in the first place :)

Well, a 7gig download is usually a lot more troublesome then a search in your shelves, but that's just me.

Anyway, can anyone answer my question about the DRM?

Game specific as I recall, some being drm-free, others requiring the amazon clients, and other being just serials for use with steam/origin.

Well i have a 50mb connection so its no big deal tbh. :)

I'm about to jump on this hate train.

http://i.imgur.com/OtZmG.png

I am FURIOUS right now.

In GamersGate, you usually find the original DRM of that game in particular (SecuROM, Tages, GFWL... or just a DRM-Free game if you're lucky). CD-Key(s) is shown in your library, next to your game that requieres it.

That's just to download the install files and to start the installation (it is not related with the actual game's DRM).

When the download is ready and the installation starts, one of the downloaded files called "launch", is in fact, the original "setup.exe" or "install.exe", only modded to not be ran just by clicking on it. The header of the file is modified and the file renamed. When the installation starts, this file is restored to its original form and you can copy that file elsewhere (or to the same folder, but the name will be changed to "copy of..." or something like that) and you can cancel the installation. After that, the "setup.exe" or "install.exe" will be modified and renamed again to "launch", but if you copied that file before, you can start the installation from that file without needing to be connected to the Internet just to access you GamersGate account for verification... Very easy ;)

After that, you don't need the "Download <game>.exe" and the "launch" files anymore.

It's why I haven't bought a Gamersgate game in months and will likely only ever buy Paradox games from them in future.

They sold out in an effort to make more money, instead of sticking to their idea of being an alternative to Steam, they now just help Steam make even more money by selling Steam-activated only keys. They're a waste of time for most games now, IMO.

IIRC, the retail version of Dark Messiah didn't even need Steam for the single player portion, only the multiplayer part. Using the downloading the SP part from Steam was optional.

There has been a trend to sell more Steam keys than installable games later. However, I think this may be the publisher's choice.

From what I gather around the internet, sites like GMG, Amazon, etc., sell far more steam keys than anything else. There are way too many people out there who prefer to keep all their games in one place, meaning it is actually more profitable for them ("them" being mainly the publishers, but likely the stores as well) to sell Steam keys.

I say GG probably gives the publishers the choice, and they prefer to sell steam keys based on their own statistics. They're merely adjusting to the market for maximum profitability. Which is too bad for those who don't like Steam.