@DyNaer
The newest version of S2: Gold on Steam is actually DRM-FREE.
That's why I asked if they could get that up onto Gamersgate.

And well....Gamersgate has added S2: Gold as DRM-FREE now to their site:

https://twitter.com/GamersGate/status/294074898916192256 Now, GG has 2 versions listed - Old Version (with DRM - namely on the site only for those who already bought it) and now the New Version (DRM-FREE).

Though, I don't know if us S2: Gold Old Version owners with DRM yet are getting the new DRM-FREE versions added to our accounts (for free) or if we have to re-buy the game to get the NEW version.
In our Game Inventory on GG, we Old Version owners already have only the OLD Versions (with DRM) listed for us.

Hopefully, we'll find out, soon enough...

Sacred 2: Gold (Old version with DRM) owners - you might want to check your account.
I got the New DRM-FREE Version (and old version w/ DRM, too) showing up in my GG account now. :D

If you don't have the new version showing, contact support. They'll help you out.

GOG...get on the ball and sell this title already....sheesh.

Some Steam-games are actually completely DRM-FREE - in which you can find a way to boot the game w/out Steam even going. Some games aren't fully-wrapped w/ Steam DRM - so, it depends really on the 3rd party publisher and developer.

First off, you have to know or make sure the game has no 3rd party DRM (obviously).
If it doesn't, then you're good. Otherwise, you'll have to deal w/ whatever 3rd party DRM you have (bleh).

Let's assume there's no 3rd party DRM.
Now, follow these steps:
1. Make sure Steam's closed completely. If it's running - close Steam out.
2. Either running the EXE file from the actual game-folder and/or creating a shortcut directly from that game-folder's EXE. Take your pick.
(SIDE NOTE: IF you want to see if a game's DRM-FREE -> then do not by create a shortcut while within Steam - you're creating a Steam-wrapped shortcut by creating shortcut's within Steam-program).
3. Results time -> If it boots only the game itself while Steam's closed, it's actually DRM-FREE; if it boots Steam-up, then the game's fully wrapped with Steam.

Now, I don't know if Sacred 2: Gold on Steam is truly 100% DRM-FREE, but we know Securom is not there in that version.
If you are curious if it's 100% without any sort of DRM, you'd have ask around there on S2: Gold's New Steam Forums; S2: Gold's Power-User Steam Forums; or check the GOG Thread about DRM-FREE Steam-Versions.

EDIT - SIDE NOTE:
That trick to boot a game w/out Steam, it does work on some G4WL-games.
You can boot the game w/out Steam, but you're still stuck w/ G4WL -> i.e. see Steam-versions of GTA4 + EFLC and RF:G.
Also there's other (non-G4WL) games this works w/, too - Borderlands 1 Steam-Version can be booted w/out Steam going, as well.

ok , i didn't know of this

because of : all my steam's games , are boxed version. (none are in the list).

As for S2 gold ; i don't know if it require steam running or not.

the version i have is the non steam one (i got the game in 2008 and bought the extension after)

so as far i know ;

the process is the following to install the version i have : the vanilla version + ice & blood + latest patch + securom activation

this explain my remark about the non existence of a drm removal patch from DeepSilver.

ihmo the worse drm is GFW Live (only the live version) , i got bad experience with Fable III : because savegames ain't compatible with another installion of windows / or could be corrupted if you don't use a local account.

So i avoid all games using this piece of crap ....

Most games - there's a version w/out DRM out there. Whomever's got it - hey, that's another story entirely. Probably whomever has the original master copy or a copy of it, I'd guess. And likely and hopefully, it ain't been lost, either - in case they want to release a DRM-FREE version later. I'd guess afterwards the game's done and/or patched, the game's then wrapped w/ DRM around it.

From what I'm hearing - Sacred 2: Gold's EXE on Steam is actually wrapped w/ Steam DRM around it:
http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showpost.php?p=10433017&postcount=13662

About S2: Gold - the new version that's DRM-FREE on Gamersgate, you just download the huge 14 GB or whatever and it's one big-as-heck install; and you're done. Very easy and simple. Good to go - no DRM to deal with.

The S2: Old version (with Securom) on Gamersgate - yup, you had to install S2: FA; then run that version's last update; then install S2: I&B; then activate it. Real pain in the neck.

About G4WL - I'm so not a fan w/ it. G4WL has been known to be problematic itself as a program - and that even also w/out me even discussing how saved-games disappear and the well-known save-game corruption issues, either.

Bought S2G on Gamersgate, no DRM, but impossible to have the game work, it sysmatically crashed at startup (on Win7 32)... Tried a dozen things to make it run (patch, windowed mode, compat mode, reinstall PhysX...) to no avail.
So I had to dump it (along with the 20$ cost) :(

well ; u don't give any info about your rig , so it won't be easy to help ..

however you can find some advices here : http://forum.sacred2.com/showpost.php?p=666771&postcount=4

PS : follow only the tips for S2 & Win7 + general tips

When going to Compatibility tab....

Did you Disable Aero stuff?
Make sure you check boxes to Disable Desktop Comp and Disable Visual Themes.
Oh, and check box to Run as Admin, too.

Also, DO NOT use any of the Elite Textures Pack, if you have them.
That was only for S2: FA.
It wasn't supported for S2: Gold.

If you tried all of that and that didn't do it - good luck trying to get it going properly!

i didn't mentionned the textures elite pack , because it was only avaible with the collector edition of S2 : FA

i think it's possible to get it by others ways , but these textures cause a lot trouble & yes works only with Fallen Angel

Sacred 2 seems to work best in Windows XP. No matter what tweaks or changes were done in Windows 7, it would eventually crash. I can't rule out crashes caused by the video card since it was developed with NVidia cards in mind.

A thousands zillions thanks, it works now with these simple tips ! :)

You're very welcome.
Glad I could help you get it going. :D

Those tips for checking those boxes to Disable Aero stuff (Disable Desktop Comp & Disable Visual Themes); check the box for Run as Admin; and run it Compatibility mode for an actual Win OS it worked on...
those are actually really for running ANY game older than the OS you're running it on - (i.e. running a game that was made when Win XP SP2 came out on say a newer Windows).

So, you can try & use those tricks to run A LOT of OLDER games on say Win Vista, 7, and 8, as well - if you're having problems. :D
It's often as simple as doing all of that, just to get old games going!

(SIDE NOTE: This is how I got Sacred 1: Gold going on Win 7, as well...)

Win Vista & above really messed-up running older games, if when you run an older game you have actually all of that Aero stuff turned on and any of that UAC stuff enabled.

I don't want to support GamersGate but if i did i would buy this DRM free from them.... id rather give GOG.com my money though ^_^