That's how it works, as far as I understand it. I considered doing "slacker-backer", but since I wouldn't get a DRM-free copy, I passed.

Actually, no.

User-made content will work ok, but the problem is that after the first DLC (which was also funded during Kickstarter), all next DLC will be Steam-only. That also means that user-made content which includes in any way content from those DLC won't work with DRM-free copies.

Was that clear at the time you pre-ordered? Because they do have to give you your money back if they were selling a DRM free version and they're not able to give you one.

Building on what hedwards said, if they didn't disclose that it was Steam only at the time you backed I would encourage you to ask for a refund on principle...

Their preorder page mentioned DRM-free up until the disclosure of the DRM/ Steam mess. IIRC, that was around mid Arpil this year. Given that only the people that backed while the Kickstarter campaign was running are getting a DRM-free version directly from their site and though an account, I don't see how a "swap or trade" could be worked out.
In other words, I can't see a way for you (or any non-Kickstarter backer for that matter) legally getting your hands on a DRM-free version - unless it gets a DRM-free release at some point in the future.


EDIT: typo

I´ve preordered it on April 1th, eleven days before they announced the DRM/ Steam mess. Based on what you both have said, I should be legally eligible to ask for refund...

I made a mistake here (so sorry), but you might still be able to at least ask for a refund, if you want one.
Their pre-order page before the disclosure (which, btw, was on Apr. 12) mentioned There was no explicit statement of DRM-free (possibly due to the DRM mess with MS), but downloadable copy doesn't necessarely equal to a Steam Key.
After the disclosure the whole wording was changed to You can check the above with The Wayback Machine here:
http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://harebrained-schemes.com/shadowrun/shadowrun-returns-pre-order/
All links up to before the disclosure have the first wording, while everything afterwards uses the second one.

What does your pre-order confirmation email say?
You can still argue on the principle that "Downloadable copy" doesn't explicitly and exclusively refer to a Steam Key and that you expected, based on the wording, to get a standalone (DRM-free) installer.

But, I have no info on if pre-orders up to the disclosure were treated the same way Kickstarter backers were regarding refunds, but, iirc, HBS was clear that no pre-orders would be eligible to a DRM-free version, just Kickstarter backers - anyone who has better knowledge or memory, feel free to correct me if I'm wrong here.
You could try to dig up relevant info by going through their Kickstarter comments & updates and their forums.

And once again, forgive me for the mistake I made in my first post.


EDIT: typo, argh

Thanks for self-correction. akhliber already said he would be willing to trade, so if he or anybody else would like the key, I am for it.

EDIT:// Just for the sake of completeness: key gifted to akhliber. Happy gaming, man! :)

Maybe Harebrained's next Kickstarted game will come to GOG. Although given that 'Gitelman struggled to come up with any regrets about the way Harebrained Schemes handled the Kickstarter and subsequent development of the game', it's just possible that they'll attract some suspicion.

"We didn't know what we were doing, exactly," Gitleman explained of the Kickstarter project.

Starting funding for a project without having the rights to the IP properly sorted ahead of time makes this one of the biggest understatements in a while.