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GameRager, you make a very good point, and I see where you're coming from, but at the same time the reason I don't make exceptions when it comes to DRM is that nothing is set in stone with it as far as publishers are concerned. Someone raised an excellent example about Dragon Age vs Dragon Age 2, and it certainly isn't the only game where that's happened.

And it's not just with DRM either. Remember all the people saying they would boycott Modern Warfare 2 because it didn't have dedicated servers? And yet all those same people were playing it the day it was released.

In the end, I've seen far too much of this in the industry, and I really am tired of it. That's why I make no exceptions, not even for TW2. It doesn't mean I'll turn against GOG, as I still think they are the best hope in the industry. But if worst comes to worst and big name publishers abandon the PC altogether (unlikely), or at least stick with DRM/Console Ports/etc (more likely), there will always be an excellent crowd of indie developers that don't do DRM, and so I'll support those. (I paid more for the latest Humble Bundle than I did on any AAA games last year). Heck, I'm an indie developer myself, so I can always just make games for myself. :D
Post edited May 06, 2011 by SylvesterInk
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SylvesterInk: GameRager, you make a very good point, and I see where you're coming from, but at the same time the reason I don't make exceptions when it comes to DRM is that nothing is set in stone with it as far as publishers are concerned. Someone raised an excellent example about Dragon Age vs Dragon Age 2, and it certainly isn't the only game where that's happened.

And it's not just with DRM either. Remember all the people saying they would boycott Modern Warfare 2 because it didn't have dedicated servers? And yet all those same people were playing it the day it was released.

In the end, I've seen far too much of this in the industry, and I really am tired of it. That's why I make no exceptions, not even for TW2. It doesn't mean I'll turn against GOG, as I still think they are the best hope in the industry. But if worst comes to worst and big name publishers abandon the PC altogether (unlikely), or at least stick with DRM/Console Ports/etc (more likely), there will always be an excellent crowd of indie developers that don't do DRM, and so I'll support those. (I paid more for the latest Humble Bundle than I did on any AAA games last year). Heck, I'm an indie developer myself, so I can always just make games for myself. :D
First off, thanks for the wonderufl long and thought out reply. What I eamnt in how it may help the anti-DRM cause is that it isn't as "flawed" as the DA-DA2 cases were given the methods and tactics/motives of those behind it and the DRM implemented. It's like a games make kids killers study funded by a biased group like conservative fundamaentalists or similar in some ways in that it can't fully be trusted to some, especially those in the anti-DRM group.

Also, TW2 and it's nearly DRM free stance and whatever comes of it will hopefully be much more published as it has been already by players and the media and this will boost to help it on it's way to attempting change. And even if it is a small change, it'll still be in the right direction most likely.
GameRager, if it turns out to be the case that this release encourages more publishers to favor a DRM-free approach, then I will be more than happy with the outcome. And fortunately, I am only one man, so if I end up not purchasing in the end, at least it will only be a small loss to the cause.

And the publicity surrounding the DRM-free release has definitely made an impact, so hopefully that will be another positive influence on publishers.
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SylvesterInk: GameRager, if it turns out to be the case that this release encourages more publishers to favor a DRM-free approach, then I will be more than happy with the outcome. And fortunately, I am only one man, so if I end up not purchasing in the end, at least it will only be a small loss to the cause.

And the publicity surrounding the DRM-free release has definitely made an impact, so hopefully that will be another positive influence on publishers.
What if it turns out they release patches for the Gog version or at the least offer to update the Gog version with each update to provide an alternate updating method? Will you buy then? Just curious. And yeah here's to hoping it all works out good for CDPR & US in the end.
If they initially release the game on terms that I don't agree with, I will not purchase it. But if they change it later on and provide a more agreeable method to patching/maintaining the game, thus making it DRM free once more, I will instantly purchase it, even if it's back to full price again and I miss getting my preorder discount.

This is what I did with the first game. I didn't really pay attention to it because the initial reviews were lukewarm, and when I did look into it, I saw DRM and left it alone. Then when the Enhanced Edition claimed to have ditched the DRM, I purchased it quickly enough and enjoyed it no less than I would have had I purchased it earlier.
I will be still buying it since this DRM isn't a big deal and it seems that this is a one time thing. But... What if it's not? This breaks the rule of no-DRM whatsoever on GOG, what if light DRM becomes common on GOG instead of no-DRM?

It's not that bad, it's just disappointment and a loss of credibility.
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Scorpionscythe: It certainly worries me when even a PR guy gets an answer he doesn't want to share with anyone.

Also, I am curious about something with the patching. If the Witcher 2 is DRM free and we patch the game, shouldn't we still be able to back it up? I ask because I am seriously concerned about patching actually adding DRM into the game to prevent it from being copied. Of course this is speculation but my concerns are warranted due to lack of information and how much they want the patching system to keep the game from being illegally updated.
That a good point. I remember crazy things that happened to Stardock games, where depending on the patch level (and there were many patches) the DRM was absent or functional or functional again or...

I hope, since there is a DRMed version of TW2 and a DRM free version of TW2, that a patch that alters the DRM system checks before which version of TW2 is installed. One can only hope.

Just coming back to the statement of some people here, that patches just fix technical bugs and do not add significant content. I was a little surprised when I read that TW2 actually was gold on 27th of april.
http://witcher2game.com/2011/04/witcher-2-gone-gold/

Which means that the version on the DVD in the box (and probably also the download version for GOG - I would be surprised if not) is from more than three weeks before the release date. From a business perspective it would be inefficient to not continue working on patches in the mean time until release and with the abundant availability of highspeed internet you can deliver even big ones easily. Either TW2 is finished and just nothing more to do or there will be a significant zero day patch. We'll see. I am curious.
Post edited May 06, 2011 by Trilarion
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Trilarion: Either TW2 is finished and just nothing more to do or there will be a significant zero day patch. We'll see. I am curious.
There is a "zero day patch" which will be included in the GOG version (from the email I got back from GOG).
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Scorpionscythe: It certainly worries me when even a PR guy gets an answer he doesn't want to share with anyone.
I'd like to think of myself as more than just a "PR Guy".
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TheEnigmaticT: I'd like to think of myself as more than just a "PR Guy".
We really should include a basic set of animated emoticons in the next forum update, oh great enunciator of GOGs revelations, feeder of the masses and tamer of the wild ranting monster. :)))

edit:
Can we add to the list of phoenix's questions:

"How many DLCs will be included in the GOGs TW2 version?"

I mean DLCs that are offered as pre-order goody elsewhere, e.g. like on amazon.co.uk where you get the The Ultimate Swordsman Suit.
Post edited May 06, 2011 by Trilarion
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Trilarion: "How many DLCs will be included in the GOGs TW2 version?"

I mean DLCs that are offered as pre-order goody elsewhere, e.g. like on amazon.co.uk where you get the The Ultimate Swordsman Suit.
That one I know: exclusive preorder goodies for other retailers are, well, exclusive to them. If we gave them to you, they wouldn't be exclusive, would they?

Still waiting on the answer to my sticking point. I am bending my powers of persuasion to the task!
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Trilarion: "How many DLCs will be included in the GOGs TW2 version?"

I mean DLCs that are offered as pre-order goody elsewhere, e.g. like on amazon.co.uk where you get the The Ultimate Swordsman Suit.
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TheEnigmaticT: That one I know: exclusive preorder goodies for other retailers are, well, exclusive to them. If we gave them to you, they wouldn't be exclusive, would they?

Still waiting on the answer to my sticking point. I am bending my powers of persuasion to the task!
And as soon as you do, we can get on to griping about the exclusivity of the DLC not being announced. ;-P

Personally, I hate exclusive DLC for pre-ordering. I get why stores do it, but it's really annoying having to choose or spend a large sum of money on multiple copies if you want all of them.
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TheEnigmaticT: ...
That one I know: exclusive preorder goodies for other retailers are, well, exclusive to them. If we gave them to you, they wouldn't be exclusive, would they?
...
I thought so and I am not unhappy. I guess they are rather small DLCs that do not imbalance the game and are not really necessary to enjoy the game. After all, if I am a bad swordsman, I can either buy the appropriate DLC or lower the difficulty level. :)))

It was just for completeness. Good luck with the other questions.
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Scorpionscythe: It certainly worries me when even a PR guy gets an answer he doesn't want to share with anyone.
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TheEnigmaticT: I'd like to think of myself as more than just a "PR Guy".
No mean to offend if I did. I actually really appreciate that you are on the forums working as a go between. If not the PR guy though, what would your title be?

EDIT: Nevermind, I see the title Marketer Guy under your name. Although I doubt this is much different....
Post edited May 06, 2011 by Scorpionscythe
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Scorpionscythe: EDIT: Nevermind, I see the title Marketer Guy under your name. Although I doubt this is much different....
It's much like a musketeer, except instead of muskets, you use markets instead.

Edit: No, wait, it says "Marketer", not "Marketeer", nevermind then.
And on another note: T, please add another e to your title.
Post edited May 06, 2011 by Miaghstir