I know you guys don't have DRM on your product, but if I wanted to download and manage this game from steam will I be better buying it from them or will you be offering keys to download it via steam?

Thanks

Yes, you'll want to buy it through steam. You wont be able to download it from steam any other way.

OK, I really don't get this... Why would you want some of the money to go to Valve, instead of all of it going to CD Projekt, just so that you could have an extra thing sitting in your way that if something goes wrong you won't be able to play the game?

Oh, and giving up the option of a free game and all the other stuff, but I'm trying to focus on the game itself...

What does Steam add to the experience that means that Valve should get your money?

I'm not trying to be snarky -- really, I'm not -- I'm just trying to understand.

EDIT:
The reason I'm making a point about the money is that the publishers are going to. This will be the first time a major new release game will be simultaneously offered in DRM form and DRM-free form. You know that the publishers are going to look at the competing results, and if Steam sells a lot, you're going to hear "see, customers don't mind DRM -- we should keep doing it." Or worse, given posts like the OP, "See, customers _prefer_ DRM. We must keep doing it." In business, you vote with your dollars. I don't even know that I'll like TW2, but I may have to buy it from GOG just to put in my vote against DRM, and to show support for the idea that it isn't needed in new releases any more than in old ones. I mean, _we_ all know that, but until the publishers can actually see a strong movement by customers to DRM-free suppliers, they're not even going to consider changing their practices.

Just my 2 cents worth...

I think he mean more buy the game here and activate it on steam, some game permit that, where you buy game elsewhere but are able to add the CD key to steam to get access to the steamwork of the game, while steamwork is not required to make the game actually work. X3: Terran conflict permit that. (In my case I had bought a X3: Gold a while ago and when they added the steamwork, I activated the CD key on steam, so now I got Gold on gamersgate and Terran Conflict on steam)

I also got a boxed version of Dawn of War Soulstorm that I was able to activate on steam.

OK, I'm going to have to show my ignorance here. What benefits does steamwork provide to a game that you already have? Maybe then I'll understand better.

I'm OK with the "buy it at GOG, activate it elsewhere for other benefits," I just don't know what those benefits are yet.

I suppose I'm OK with directly purchasing it from Valve, if Steam is actually providing additional features, although I worry that it will muddy the waters when the inevitable comparisons are made.

Well, I'm getting it from GOG, for the reasons you mentioned (and cus its a way better deal), but I usually get my games on steam when possible. I like to keep all my games in the steam library, and while I can add non steam games to my library, the time played isn't tracked, and I am kind of into those stats. I don't want to get an Xfire account though.

Yes, my gamersgate version of terran conflict that I activated on steam still work perfectly and the disk of dawn of war souldstorm I got still work like it always did. Basically game that don't require steamwork but are possible to activate even if bought from other source just activate the possibility to add the game to the library and add do steam download and install.

But game that permit that are quite rare, those are the only two that I own. (But I did try all my CD key of boxed game I had that happened to be on steam)

wow... didn't mean to spark up so much convo from a simple question... lol

the reason i'm asking is that Steam is my favored source of digitally distributed games (new games anyway... i use gog for the oldies :)) and with a library of over 300 games on steam I would much prefer to have witcher 2 on my steam collection than separate.

I understand it isn't going to have any kind of steam features (steamworks, etc), but i'd personally like it on steam and it seems to be the same price... you just don't get the bonus game (you appear to get everything else though)

From my understanding the prices on steam are set by the devs/publishers anyway... so i'm sure they aren't going to be getting too ripped off by selling through steam otherwise they wouldn't have the option... i just thought it'd be nice to buy from here AND activate on steam (so i support gog, get a free game, etc), but if not thats fine. They'll still get my money one way or another!

If you buy from GOG, CD Projekt will get 100% (or close to) the profit of what you pay. On Steam, Steam will get a cut, giving less money to the Poles you love (I think the cut is around 30-40%).

Plus, you'll be able to use the Steam Game Overlay regardless of whether it's a Steam version of The Witcher 2. I can't see any other features that would be important.

Yes. you can easily use Steam overlay with almost any modern 3D game. BTW gog.com offer is simply better.

I like Steam and have more than 200 games on it but even I will buy from GOG instead (it may not even be available in Australia like the first game). The only features it will have over the GOG version is the Overlay (which can be added to any game though Steam anyways), downloading from Steam's servers (there's nothing wrong with GOG's servers), gameplay tracking (without Raptr or XFire this is a plus for the Steam version), and... nothing else.

Besides, it may well be cheaper on GOG (the Digital Deluxe version might be sold separately and for more than $49.99) and through GOG you get a bunch of exclusive content AND a free game!

So buy from here and then add the game to your Steam library for the BEST deal in my opinion.

I'm hoping the release of Witcher 2 through GOG is some sort of experiment, which will eventually (through the success I hope it has) lead to a download agency surpassing Steam, and with no DRM. Valve/Steam is the fucking antichrist and must be obliterated for the future of gaming.

So you want Valve, who made a game that Yathzee find so good he had not a single negative comment, to disappear ?

You have a very odd choice in avatar then.

That will sadly not (yet) happen, since Steam is simply much better known. Most people will look there first, not aware of the wonderful gem of the industry that is gog.com.

This is why it is up to us to spread the mad monks' word!

I do my share by gifting games to my friends :-)