Why did GOG think it's a good idea to make the multiplayer GOG Galaxy only and seemingly leave out the LAN mode? I don't know, every few months GOG has some idea that frustrates me. I was close to insta-buying it, but stuff like that makes me not trusting GOG on this.
Maybe there is some technical reason for this? But without explanation it appears to me like they are again trying to push Galaxy with that.

It's because they used the Steamworks version as a basis, not the retail GameSpy/LAN version. For Steamworks and Galaxy to have crossplay, the developer needs to make an active effort to ensure it, but Relic hasn't touched DoW1 in 8 years (their layoffs from the other day pretty much destroy any hope that will change).

Steam and Galaxy players can see each other and chat in the lobby, but they can't see or join each other's rooms.

The only strategy game I ever enjoyed and would be an instant buy just for the LAN only so we can play it with the family. I still have the retail version of the whole series and there is a patcher that enables all the factions when only Soulstorm is installed. I always feel sad when I see core functions removed from old games just because of fear from piracy.

It is indeed frustrate and sad fpr core game part removed. Sega screw that. Old story now. They patch it back again - for Rome Total War. DoWWA+DC+SS unfortunatly stay with LAN removed.

Unfortunatly GOG provide only steam based version. Retail patches make games DRM free (except SS) but GOG Galaxy indeed part of reason here. And so we get "backported" obfuscated steam drm version instead of drm free.

Still better than broken SteamPipe delivery system. Especially for custom content. I have multiple editions on CD and i can alter my(*) offline GOG version whatever i like with no issues and DRM.
Galaxy multiplayer is not DRM, esp in offline version without client installed. MP content is optional.

Probably there is a almost-easy way to unpack retail patches 1.1+1.2 for SS, 1.11+1.2 for DC, 1.50+1.51 for DoWWA and probably that be enough to restore original game. Still new intros and splash screen on game start.
Perfectly make full byte to byte comparison of installed files and share it. This one easy, not require find a way to extract patches (to find out they are delta-patches and cannot be used at all). Im personally from RU and not sure when able to buy or find time to look into ways.

Dunno, having only the option to play MP with an online service is DRM to me. I have to use Galaxy to use MP. And especially because this was not the case with Retail, I don't accept that here. It is nice to get an option for that, yeah, but don't kill a part of the original game functionality like that.

I simply don't trust GoG anymore. DRM free means I can use the whole title without the need of using another service, period. This way, this is not better than the Steam version. I basically still need to use an account to play with others. Might be fine now, but maybe not in 10 years.

Retail? As long as I can get it to run LAN probably still works in 10 years. This is a no go. I was looking forward to this but I don't see the value in it anymore if I still need a freaking account to do something the original could without.

Don't get me wrong. More recent games where played over Steam, but it would have been nice to get the option not to as well. Now, instead of relying on Steam to exist, Galaxy has to exist.

No, thank you.

Also, no improvement on the rest. Mods don't work, Widescreen is not implemented. I get this is not entirely their fault, but come one. They must get that a customer who owns the title already will see no added value here.

Who own Retail version - get official multiplayer (vs Gameranger and some like OpenSpy or whatever they called).

Steam owners get offline DRM free version better in modding since steampipe update broke more than fix in steam delivery system back in 2012-3.

Multiplayer IS another service. Axiom. You need another service and account whatever way - original GameSpy, OpenSpy/GameRanger, Steam or GOG-Galaxy.
People like manipulte argument it -use not the facts (what drm is for sure) but use opinion itself as argument for opinion. "Bible is Valid Truth cause of Bible". Even ssy it like you did "for me it is xxx, so it is".

LAN is not such another service and retail have no account requirements for lan. But there is no lan and no MP in drm-free GOG offline version. You cant say it is DRM forced at you for service that is not present at all.
So for offline content - it is DRM free. It is have iportant offline feature removed, but its removed not exist. And Galaxy not related to it.

GameSpy switced to Steamworks MP. Switched to Galaxy. Isnt it fine? Its fine. Ppl somhow find its not fine. That there is DRM in no-drm service. Saw that few times. Offline still ofline - fine. LAN not require account and still not require.
If there is no-account service changed to account - that be not fine. I saw some blame GOG for removing it. For exactly forcing drm to lan. At same cases. But GOG didnt do that. Is there is LAN game remain LAN but require account? There is many such games in Steam/etc where LAN is not LAN and there authentication over internet at supposed to be intependent LAN mode. But there is no such game on GOG isnt? What be offline remain offline or removed. Only initially online account features remain online. At worse cases - Hitman on GOG(whole series actually) - its require 3rd party account with no galaxy-linking.

Galaxy service are not force games to have lan removed like some ppl say. I cant quoted them here, it is from warez forums. As result "that one" dll restore nothing.
Lets say. They say that even about games with still "offline" Lan available. Some ppl nkt OK even with Galaxy service itself. While there is no alternate ways except virtualise Lan as GameRanger (and still accounts reauired). If optional Mulyiplayer mode require legal game and valid account - itis not DRM AT ALL. It is service protect legal players from illegal ones (not only cause cheats).

GOG will get many points if open some their API even more than it is. And make virtual lan tool to redirect online mode to offline. Such tool can help with such games with Lan removed. Just virtualise Lan make it available - nothin more. Still require valide payed account for normal online mode.
That be perfect. But we cant blame GOG they didnt such lan offline dedicated server Galaxy tool. And cant blame normal Multiplayer require GOG Galaxy client, version and account.

So stain with argumented facts. GOG indeed not make any extra points (galaxy MP service itself was extra but...). But not broke DRM-free more. They switch to galaxy builds as main (by mistake offline can be superior version), promote client as main downloader. But not broke games into DRM. Even if it is them who remove lan/multiplayer/skirmish options in menu (looks like it is GOG who did that sometimes and yes - even skirmish sometimes removed cause share button with lan but not with Multiplayer). There is looks like Lan mode removed by GOG. And we should blame them for removed Lan mode. No more no less. Not for account in multiplayer which is normal. 50/50. Why buy here? Why buy anywhere. Steam also got 50% but opposite one.

Here are "nothing removed". Unfortunatly Lan mode removed long before GOG release. Not give extra points not remove.

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Maybe we should flood support (or better contact someone personally). My opinion they should switch offline version to be based on old THQ builds from CDs. I dont want get files from steam for practical reason (broken depot system there). And keep Sega builds for Galaxy. Perfect! Its anyeay two little bit differ builds. Not the first time it he entirely differ if they did.
That one opinion can be conter argumented - by Sega. Not having files and/or permission from Sega. Sega dont want to make Lan mode back in DoW1. Or want not to have.

But we should try get old 1.51, 1.2 and 1.2. CDs even DRM-free except SS. High chances there is official DRMfree Soulstorm exe too. But unlikely to find/out it. Most digital releases from THQ/Sega before switch to steam exclusively are DRMed. Not a huge problem anyway.

Oh ok, that makes sense. I wasn't aware the Steam version doesn't have a LAN mode either. It's been ages since that came out, so I've probably forgotten that.

Here is a patch I found on Steam that should restore the LAN option of the game. Can someone confirm it?

Restoration patch

Steam topic

Same, i almost clicked buy then i seen they made a deliberate move to tie the game to a DRM enforced multiplayer environment. Why? Those of us who played this game on disc, know it DOES NOT require anything special for lan, and it worked. So why would they do this to us, besides to force DRM on their supposedly drm free logic store front?

Did anyone test out the lan restoration patch? Does it work? This would give me a reason to buy it again on gog.

I have the old retail version and the patch seems like identical to those files. I guess this is just the cracked system files of the old release to make it work without the DVD. I don't have the game on GOG or Steam and while I would love to buy it digitally because it is a lot of work to install all of them from the discs but if LAN not works then it is pointless. Really, it is just all about the more simple install for me. I don't even know when I played anything other than Soulstorm for the last time simply because I'm lazy putting the discs in lol.

I would love to experience them again. Come on, developers and publishers, don't get freaked out of LAN just because of piracy!

Here's a wishlist entry for LAN support, for those interested:

https://www.gog.com/wishlist/games/lan_support_for_warhammer_40000_dawn_of_war_master_collection

I'm interested. Thank you for the link.

I've checked it out of curiosity, but it seems like that doesn't work properly on GOG version. After copying the right files, game doesn't launch at all, there is an error (screenshot attached) indicating, that it tries to launch it via Steam.

And I admit that I have returned the game, when I found out that there is no way to restore other multiplayer "types". Don't see the point in owning this, if I have retail version, that works perfectly fine without disk, and still has other mp features.

Although if it will change in the future, I would happily buy it again on GOG.

I see. Well at least the Steam version probably works with the patch then. The way around would be that, someone copy these files from the retail version and others use that for patching but then the retail version requires all the games installed to enable the races in Soulstorm. It is possible to edit the registry as I stated above, however this requires legit product keys from the other games.

I've finally got it to work, using my retail version of the game I've finally got it done, although I couldn't test it if it actually works I still managed to get to the lan option screen and patch it back to 1.2 with the gog all race unlock

The text became a mess but at least its working

I will put the files here, just copy them to the game directory

please tell me if it works

https://file.io/yeEzYfI1PWva

For some reason I don't know if I posted my screenshot, so I will put it here
https://file.io/qxImNtBdnRBh

It actually took me a few days to work on this, and I need to go to work later, I am exausted so please tell me it does work

I just made a post on steam hopefully it doesn't violate the terms of service... If someone is nice enough to backup thosse files plase also consider bring them to steam forum