This proprietary installer made to only work on Windows devices restricts you from otherwise run your purchases which may work on non-windows devices.

Just something to think about since they're quite proud of this "No DRM .. Not here!" sentiment.

"Digital rights management (DRM) is a generic term for access control technologies that can be used by hardware manufacturers, publishers, copyright holders and individuals to limit the usage of digital content and devices. The term is used to describe any technology that inhibits uses of digital content not desired or intended by the content provider. The term does not generally refer to other forms of copy protection which can be circumvented without modifying the file or device, such as serial numbers or keyfiles. It can also refer to restrictions associated with specific instances of digital works or devices. Digital rights management is used by companies such as Sony, Amazon, Apple Inc., Microsoft, AOL and the BBC."

Personally I think the installer is actually DRM.

The installer might technically be, but Gog also allows you to download the games directly from your browser.

You can download your game wrapped in a Windows .exe with no way to extract.

Hummnn, Windows games, made to install on Windows = DRM because it won't install elsewhere . . . . . . Okaaaay ; )

Ok I have weird theory here, people calling the "please don't make illegal copy of this disk" on CD a DRM but this one is pretty funy.

You have a Windows game, made to run on Windows, with an installer also made to run on Windows... and that is a DRM ?

Seriously if you have a clue on how to run a Windows games on a system other than Window then you will probably have a clue how to run a Windows installer on another system too.

I guess Synaptic is also a DRM as it "prevent" programs it packaged from running on Windows ^_^

computer... power required... DRM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ZOMG and the publishers that put their games in boxes were DRM for people without hands! :-O

And televisions are DRM for the blind!

And keyboard-screen interaction is DRM for people without hand-eye coordination!

It's a conspiracy!

I'm as anti-DRM as anyone, but your definition is like saying selling games on retail discs is DRM because you need a CD/DVD drive to install the game. Nowhere that I've seen has GOG stated their games are guaranteed to work on all platforms.

No it's not DRM.

But, yes, the installer issue could be more open. Even if GoG doesn't want to focus on providing support for any other OS than windows separating installer and game data as often as possible would certainly add to the appeal of the GoG concept. I am sure, if the game data were accessible outside the windows environment, the community would eventually fill the gap and provide "alternative" installers for non-GoG supported Operating Systems.

Granted - it won't work with all games, but anything that is emulated with dosbox, for example, could already be completely cross-platform.

The game developers decide what OS's the game is compatible with. Gog only adds compatibility for Windows XP/Vista/Sometimes 7. If you want to use a different OS you have to do the work yourself. They aren't preventing from doing it.

It is arguable, but it DOES restrict the use and the like.

Not sure if I would consider it or not, but I think one of the big deterrents for people is the whole "DRM is inherently bad" mentality.

DRM means the company manages your rights to access after the sale. GOG does not do this in any way, through installers or anything else. DRM free does not mean the product itself works for everything ever, that makes no sense.

Yes, damn that toaster blocker DRM.

As far as I'm aware you can run the installer under WINE fine, which covers both OSX and Linux (which you'd have to do to run most of the games anyway). Unless you wanted to install it on BeOS or something?