Having only bought games from GOG for the last couple of years (I have no complaints and fully intend to stay), I have also started to look at itch.io and humble.

When the itch.io game card says you get files for windows, mac etc AND a steam key, does this mean as well? Or does it mean you have to run it through the abomination that is steam?

Similarly, humble gamecards show a steam symbol and a windows symbol. If a steam symbol is showing, do you have to run it through steam or is that an option for those who like social media and achievements?

The game that has piqued my interest is The Away Team.

On Humble you need to have "DRM-free" symbol to have possibility to run the game without Steam.

Like here: https://www.humblebundle.com/store/pixel-heroes-byte-magic

On Humble, most games are just Steam keys. There are a good number of games that also have DRM-free builds that are downloadable straight from Humble (in addition to the Steam copy), and a smaller number that have GOG, Uplay, Origin, etc. codes/keys instead of the Steam key (not sure if any of the latter also have direct-download DRM-free builds, but I think they actually just count GOG copies as if they their own DRM-free versions, to the point where they show up when you filter your search for DRM-free games -- which is somewhat annoying). Humble's even got a little square "DRM-free" symbol that actually looks suspiciously similar to the square GOG.com logo.

I've got very little experience with itch, and none with games there that offer Steam keys, but I assume it's the same -- some things are just direct (presumably DRM-free) downloads, some are download + Steam, and maybe some are Steam-only?

Humble has a drm free tag which seems acurate. I have a fair few off there. Highlights are fighting fantasy/choose your own adventure ones from tinman. And bioshock 1. Do be aware that the version doesn't get updated very much, if at all. Most games are steam, and all giveaways and bundles and such like are steam.

Itch I have used and got a few off there. I find the site a mess, can never find anything on there, and often it's just demos or kickstarted parts with main going to steam (aggelos for instance).

We discussed humble before here:
https://www.gog.com/forum/general/drmfree_games_on_humble_store

And other stores here:
https://www.gog.com/forum/general/sites_like_gog

Hello, bonzer.

I buy most of my games from GOG and itch.io. The majority of games sold on itch.io are DRM-free, with rare exceptions in which you are paying for a Steam key exclusively (I have encountered this once in 3 years of being an itch.io customer).

Each game's information page lists the files you will gain access to if you make a purchase (here you can also check to make sure it is available for your system/OS), and in some instances you will see in the purchase information: "Your purchase comes with a Steam key."

(I just looked and exactly half of the games I've bought on itch.io have come with Steam keys.)

Itch.io is primarily a platform for independent games and developers. You will find games on itch.io like Night in the Woods, Gone Home, Celeste, Cultist Simulator, Chuchel, Machinarium, VA-11 Hall-A, and Kentucky Route Zero, although it mostly houses lesser-known adventure games, platformers, visual novels, RPGs, horror excursions, and experimental games/art.

Many thanks Lexor, Hunch and Nightcrawler. Some useful information there. +1 all round.
edit: also thanks to zakmckracken.

There are also games which require some kind of activation, such as Wolfschanze 1944:

http://calaris.itch.io/wolfschanze-1944


System Requirements
- Internet connection (for copy protection. and yes torrents will not work so don't regret $0,99 for developers).


The game was actually available for free some time ago, but because of whatever copy protection they are using, I didn't claim it - even for free.

If the Itch gamecard / checkout page says you're getting files "You will get access to the following files:", then that's what you get - that's how the platform works. If it says "Your purchase comes with a Steam key", you're automatically getting a Steam key through the itch platform, in addition to the downloads.

However, the actual file might not be DRM-free -- see, for example, here -- and doesn't come with a guarantee of steady updates / Steam parity (see here). It might not even be a game (see here).

Itch isn't bad, and no one on there has been actively trying to scam people (so far), but make sure to always read the page.

As far as the last example goes, I believe this statement alone makes it a game:

"Control the Narrative
Make dialogue choices as the story progresses."

Calm your tits. I mean the downloadable file on itch isn't a DRM-free game or a DRM-infected game or a demo of a game, it's a pdf with download instructions.