Whats stopping me from playing the game after the pre-load? Why do I need a cd key? Sounds like drm to me.

cd key isn't necessary it's to register the game to you so you can get access to auto updates and some extra items. also you won't be downloading 100% of the game only 95% of it right now, so you can't play it yet.

Trolls are out on this issue today

Trolls, I've been using Gog since almost the day that the beta hit, ******bag. My favorite part about gog is that it is drm free and I want to be sure that it stays that way. I bought the game here because I thought that it wan drm free when I could have bought it cheaper elsewhere. Thanks to Morandor's post I now know it looks like it is a clean copy and as long as it is I'm happy with my purchase.

But it's not digital rights management as per definition.
A key is a simple way of copy protection.

/facepalm

Anyway, the reason you can't play it now is because the game is not going to be released for a week. GOG is just letting people predownload all of it except for a small chunk so that on release day you finish your download in no time and can play.
So that's not DRM.

What is DRM thoughis the CD-key.
The CD key is to register your account in order to get patches that can't get backed up.
It sucks, but GOG has decided to release this game with DRM.

I'm not really sure what other benefits registering will offer, but as long as <span class="bold">THIS</span> is the case, we'll be able to play the latest version nice and DRM free.

As long as you don't need any fancy account to play or update the game everything seems fine and dandy to me...

From what I can see for now, the CD-KEY would be some form of DRM, but it would be an optional form of DRM and that doesn't really bother me.

EnigmaticT posted... somewhere... that after the patch cycle calms down, the GOG download will be changed to a fully updated version. So, provided there aren't any game-breaking bugs in 1.0, and you're patient, you can get it DRM-free... eventually. So not all is lost. My fears on this topic have been calmed.

EDIT: Bah! Ninja'd by evil_vasile!

And the former requires online authentication and reauthentication every 30 days (unless they recently dropped one of those). That is true, though it will have DRM until they release the master version, since the retail will be patched and the GOG version wont.

It's funny how people talk about a "CD key" when actually we're talking about a digital download version of the game.

Anyhow, an update client and being dependant on the availability of servers for updates of the game, that is DRM. Or having to create a user profile, which the game gets bound to, that's DRM. But a simple random key that a skilled cracker can disable (create a key generator for) in no time, that's only copy protection. Heck, keys and similar ways to protect software have been in use for copy protection long before there was even any DRM.

But why all these tiresome discussions anyway (yeah, I know GOG have announced to release this game without DRM), if you don't like it, don't buy it. It's as simple as that. And it's the only way companies will learn their lessons.

...and sadly it will also never happen since the numbers of people who buy things on principle are much fewer than the numbers of people who buy things on impulse. I should know since I'm usually part of the latter. (Aren't I a hypocrite?)

since the patches will be consolidated into the main download link on your account as mentioned in a blue post from time to time, then there is no update client necessary or update servers unless you want updates in real time as they come out. as for profile, of course the game is tied to your account or else everyone could just have it for free. (well if you went and shared the installer files it would of course work since there's no DRM the registration of the game with a key is not mandatory)

So I still consider this no DRM. and I hope no one exploits this trust, but obviously it will happen. They know this, you know this.

I agree with you. It sounds painless enough. Like you said I will eventually have a completely DRM free copy.

Nah, you'd only be a hypocrite if you said something like "People should only buy on principle." and then bought on impulse.

Calm down everyone, there's no need for name-calling. This has always been a pleasant and helpful community, so why should the premiere of a AAA title change that? If anything, we should be happy it's being released, that we at GOG got the best deal. Those who have issues have full right to mention it, those who are happy have the right to cheer, but for the love of GOG ladies and gentlemen, keep it civil!