(Notice: I'm putting various the mails I reference to in separate comments. Since gog forums work as they work, I have to wait for the first comment of other user for this)

So, what are the last trends in "DRM-ing"?

I regularly check services and send mails to developers and service providers asking them about the topic (not in a journalistic way, just as a consumer) and I have identyfied two or three trends that I'd like to share with you. All of them negative and a couple of them deals with the definition of DRM.

For reference, my definition of DRM is "every digital measure that doesn't allow the customer to store, install and play their games independently of the publisher/developer". I realize that this leads to discussion in some particular cases.

1) All games are MMOs now: I guess all of you know this one. Every game nowadays needs to have an online component, and that component will ONLY work in communication with a central server owned by the publisher. Ergo, you cannot play your games online unless given permission by the publisher.

Not only this, companies like EA or Blizzard are starting to release games (, [url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2011/10/27/darkspore-drm-shuts-out-new-players/]DarkSpore, Diablo 3) that have to be connected to the internet all the time because: player progression, "it's like Facebook, you like Facebook, right?", "the game is designed like that "and other bullshit excuses that do not explain why you are FORCED to and not given the option to for the solo component. The Ubisoft DRM was great, it just didn't have the proper PR until now.

I can see how this may not be considered DRM (you only need to assume they are being sincere), but the effect is exactly the same as the Ubi DRM and I will consider it as such.

2) Small developers don't have alternatives: I've seen this at least a couple of times. Steam is huge, so, when you are small and don't have the resources to diversify, you start with Steam. Some developers eventually release outside of Steam (I think this is the case of Frozenbyte with Trine, for example), but some don't. An example of this is E.Y.E. from Streum On Studio who explained me that they are limited in their distribution options because of their size.

A different example is that of that topic here (which I cannot find now) from some developers of a multiplayer game that wanted a good anticheating system, but wanted the opinion of gog's DRM-aware users. What I understood from that topic is that developers are basically left with Valve's VAC as practically the only good anti-cheating option, but, if I'm not mistaken, that means they are forced to distribute through Steam.

3) No, our system is not DRM: And what is probably more worrying is that publishers and DD providers are trying to change or bypass the meaning of DRM. We have already seen an example in point 1). Another form I'm experiencing lately is that of digital distribution services pretending that their games don't have DRM and then using a system that requires connecting to them to install a game. This is the case of GamersGate (already discussed here a few times: example) and it is also the case of Desura.

Yes, the GamersGate DRM is rather laughable (IMPORTANT: this means I'm aware of the trick everybody uses), but the case of Desura is more problematic. I have bought Q.U.B.E., officially DRM free, and this was my experience (my experience with Desura is still small, so correct me if I said something wrong). First, it's client based, you need a client to install and to play the games. A client is not DRM by itself if you still can access your games without asking for permision to anybody, but this is not the case. The client won't install without trying to update first, which means that you have to connect to Desura to install it. Then whenever you want to install a game, the client needs to be online too. In fact, you cannot even see the games that you own and are not installed in offline mode. And the backups they say you can make are not backups. The same way it happens with Steam "backups", the only function of these are to save the download time, but you cannot install from a "backup" copy.

In summary, I cannot trust any DD anymore (besides DotEmu and GOG) when they say they are DRM free. And let's see what happens with my Deus Ex on D2D. I bought it yesterday and, when tried to install (offline), it required me to connect to the internet to activate. I have asked D2D for a refund for not advertising this requirement on their site.

GamersGate is actually DRM-free too, for DRM-free-labeled games.

Basically, the downloader that one downloads from their site shouldn't be considered DRM, because it you aren't using the downloader, you'd be using the website. The downloader requires that you log it, the same way the website would require you to log in.

The encryption is only there because people are really free to distribute the game (once it has been downloaded) to random people via file-sharing websites.

Once you actually download the game, there is absolutely no need to visit GG or use their downloader ever again (assuming you actually make a proper backup of the installation files).

My question to Streum On Studio (yes, I was rude on that one):

"So, what if I don't buy games on Steam?

Sorry for the manners, but I'm fed up with asking this question again and again."

Their answer:

"I perfectly understand but currently we have not the possibility to sell by another way. Maybe it would chance, but it still uncertain. As a small company we have been limited in our choice for the distribution."

Gamersgate files can be copied and saved......just because you have to connect a bit to install doesn't make it permanent DRM.

Also any game that needs to be online to play multiplayer can usually be played offline for SP.(with some crap exceptions but still).

Right now some of them have HIB, and IndieRoyale.

My question to Desura:

"I guess, or at least I hope, that you receive this question frequently. For what I have read in an interview, for a game at Desura to have DRM, it depends only on the developer, and it will be stated on the site of the game. I have tried your platform, bought a game and all, and you are plain and simple, lying. There is no way in which someone who has bought a game at Desura is able to install and play that game without checking with you, that is DRM. The client cannot even be installed without updating first, that is, checking with you.

So, please, come clean and recognize that you are using DRM, stop trying to change the meaning of "DRM" to favor your PR. Either that or prove me wrong and explain me how can I store, install and play a Desura game I have bought."

Their answer:

"A majority of the games on Desura have no DRM. The client just downloads and installs them for you to make things much easier for you. It also does this for mods so you don't have to figure out how to install a mod. Once the game is downloaded you can play your games offline anytime you want. You can backup the desura directory to save your games anytime you want. Once they are downloaded the games do not need internet access to play them, unless they are internet multiplayer type games. If any of the games do have DRM it would be CD keys which again would not require internet access to play them once they are installed.

If you have any questions let us know."

Seriously, do I answer back or they just don't listen?

It doesn't make it DRM at all, because you won't need to connect. Just copy-paste the files in another directory when the downloading finishes and the installer screen pops up.

Are you entitled to do this according to their TOS?

They are avoiding the question because you had a good point, and they don't have a workaround.

Nevertheless, they need to be honest about it.

I was going to say it wasn't DRM but didn't want to squash any toes or make a mistake when posting.

No idea, haven't read them. Don't really need to read them because this isn't a hack or whatever. The downloader is pretty much that, only a downloading tool, and absolutely nothing more.

The entire installing process is handled by the installer, and the downloader doesn't have anything to do with installing the game.

nvm

Not sure if it's necessary to go back to this discussion again, but, if you follow their rules, you cannot install a game without connecting to them. You can pick the setup.exe when they are not looking, but it is not supposed to be allowed. I mean, what's the difference between that and using a crack for a game with DRM? You are using a trick to circumvent a system.

This.

Of course, if they allow this, it's a different thing.

I usually look at Frictional Games as a reference. They have their own store build up in their site, so you can buy them directly. I wonder how costly such system can really be. Jonathan Blow and 2DBoy do also the same. Maybe you need some success first to try this method...