Dilema regarding DRM, questions regarding GoG copies of TW2

[F4tal3rror]

Dilema regarding DRM, questions regarding GoG copies of TW2

Ok, starting off, as you can see by my account, I bought TW1. (Twice actually, once limited edition pre-order, and once on sale on steam)I've been really looking forward to TW2 since i heard it was in development.My first reaction when I heard there was online activation, was to boycott the game. (and quite counter-productive to the pruposes for CD Projekt implementation of DRM in the first place, to pirate it)However, I've been considering other alternatives.My preference is always for a retail disk, because it's convenient. (I can install something when i want, and don't have to wait for it to downolad, or waste my download limit [Australia has limits on how much they can download), i get a game manual, other goodies, such as in the case of limited/premium editions, maps, art books)While it doesn't really suit my preference I've also started considering downloading from GoG, which leads me to wonder basically how GoG works.I don't want another download managing program (I already use steam)How does GoG actually work?Does it use a download manager? Do you download zip/rar files with an executeable, and cab files?Of course my ABSOLUTE PREFERENCE would be: A DRM free retail copy with game manual, map, and (physical) art book, sound track cd and OPTIONAL steam activation.My second preference would be a version i can store on my computer, to install as i wish, with the option of activation on steam.Edit: Clarity

 

[tommy5761]

While i don`t use any digital download programs hopefully the latest FAQ from CDPR will ease your fears a little about the DRM http://tw2.thewitcher.com/images/newsletter/TW2_FAQ_April2011.pdf

 

[Devils4dvocate]

You can research a bit for yourself: http://www.gog.com/en/page/tw2v3I haven't downloaded any game yet, but I'm sure there's a download manager (in fact, there're going to update it in a few days).You know that the GoG version of TW2 is DRM-free, and has all (and more) the bonus content you want.And additional advantage of GoG (among others) is that you will be able to begin to download the game the 10th May (and end the 17th).

 

[F4tal3rror]

Not intending to be rude, but it doesn't answer any of my questions or concerns, just tells me less than i already knew.I am aware that there will be online activation for retail versions of the game.I wont buy the retail version because of that. It's just inconvenient, as is the 100meg download on installation.I've found myself without internet for times on a slow/unreliable connection when not at home, and at times, a slow, capped speed (after exeeding my download limit) for sometimes long periods of time, or even with downed internet at my home as wellIf i boycotted, and pirated the game, i'd still be using the same bandwidth as if i downloaded it from GoG.While still frankly far from ideal, i'm considering buying through GoG.I read that there is an optional download manager, but i still have no idea the format/methoding really.Steam, for instance, installs a game directly to a location.It's be nice if GoG just let you download an installer of some kind that you can keep on your computer, and install at your will.

know that the GoG version of TW2 is DRM-free, and has all (and more) the bonus content you want.

That's true, but unfortunately, it's all in digital form, which isn't quite the same for me, and isn't really convenient, like holding a map or manual in your hands while you play.

 

[archaven.84]

What i understand from GoG is that they will come with it's own downloader and what is best the game would be completely DRM free. Once you downloaded it you can copy the installation files to your Portable hard disk and install it anywhere and play the game without internet connection.I don't like Steam.. saw that my friend using it that you must have the steam client installed as well to launch the game.I like what GoG is doing.. someone please correct me if i'm wrong. I'm also a first time user for GoG though.

 

[RuaridhGoG]

How do you use steam then? When ever i lose my internet connection for some unknown and weird reason i cannot use any game with steam, i thought it would work offline or save the settings or something.From what i have read the physical version needs activation once, then it doen't matter whether you have internet unless your planning on re-installing it constantly and the 50mb or 100mb is nothing compared to the 15gb download for the steam/gog version (going by information disclosed.) I would prefer to download my games but as of a 10gb limit exceeding it can be expensive.On a note with steam, to my understanding, games that run on steam are either bought on it and are permantly accesed via your account or say on the box,requires steam, when you buy it from the shops, manual install, activate on account, always there, you can add the shortcuts to your games library but from what i know and have tried you cannot tie a game to your account unless it is a STEAM game, it does not matter if its the same game as one sold on steam, it needs to be the steam version, so using this line of though both the retail and gog versions of TW2 cannot be tied into your steam account. Any game i have bought with steam activation requires steam activation and its if you want to play its not optional, that is of course my own experiance.If you take a look on the gog website i believe their help page answers your orignal questions.Heres the linkhttp://www.gog.com/en/support/website_help/downloads_and_gamesHere are some answers from that link:How do I download my purchased games?As soon as you complete the checkout process, you will be redirected to an order confirmation screen with a list of ordered games and download links. Also, every game you purchase gets added to your “My account” page, so if you ever need to redownload a game, that's the place you want to visit.Can I re-download my purchased games? Is there a limit to the number of re-downloads?You can always re-download games bought at GOG.com via the “My account” page. Also, there is no limit to the number of redownloads, but please remember that you're not allowed to share your GOG.com account with other users as only you are entitled to download games from your account.Can I make backups of games downloaded from GOG.com?Yes you can, and as a matter of fact we strongly recommend you do so – backing up your stuff is a very good habit, you know? Because our games are DRM-free, as soon as you download the setup file, you can back it up on a DVD or your external hard drive without hassle. Plus, as our installers are wrapped in nice .exe files, you can save them all in one folder and create a nice local backup of your games library! And if you forgot to backup your purchased games, fear not. You can always redownload them from our website for free – see below for more info. Sure, downloading will take a little bit longer than launching an installer from your backup disc, but that's no big deal.Do I need some launcher application to play my GOG.com games?No. You don't need any additional, stinky apps or launchers. We wanted to keep things as simple as possible. All games downloaded from GOG.com are wrapped in a nice self-executable (.exe) setup files, some of the larger ones are accompanied by a .bin file or two. So after you've completed the download, just double-click on the .exe file to install the game on your hard drive. After the installation is complete, shortcuts will be added to your Start Menu, desktop and Games Explorer, so you can launch your good old game just like any otherWhat is the GOG.com Downloader?Because some of our games are really huge (we're talking gigabytes here!), downloading them through a web browser via HTTP isn't the most convenient way - there's always a risk that something will interrupt your transfer or that you might want to pause the downloads and shut down your PC. That's why we've decided to create this super simple app that lets you download your purchased games easily and pause / resume the transfers whenever you want. The GOG.com Downloader (download here) is totally optional and you don't need to use it every time, although we really recommend it if you're downloading games bigger than 1GB or if you're having any problems with your Internet connection. If you're experiencing problems with the GOG.com Downloader, consult this support article. Oh, and one more thing. Our downloader app is built using brand spanking new Adobe® AIR™ technology, so you will need to download that from the Adobe website before using the GOG.com Downloader.My apologise for the wall of text, i hope that possibly irons out your questions.

 

[F4tal3rror]

How do I download my purchased games?As soon as you complete the checkout process, you will be redirected to an order confirmation screen with a list of ordered games and download links. Also, every game you purchase gets added to your “My account” page, so if you ever need to redownload a game, that's the place you want to visit.

Yes, but what format? I'd assume it's a rar/zip file. Inside that, is it like a game directory, or an installer?

How do you use steam then? When ever i lose my internet connection for some unknown and weird reason i cannot use any game with steam, i thought it would work offline or save the settings or something.On a note with steam, to my understanding, games that run on steam are either bought on it and are permantly accesed via your account or say on the box,requires steam, when you buy it from the shops, manual install, activate on account, always there, you can add the shortcuts to your games library but from what i know and have tried you cannot tie a game to your account unless it is a STEAM game, it does not matter if its the same game as one sold on steam, it needs to be the steam version, so using this line of though both the retail and gog versions of TW2 cannot be tied into your steam account. Any game i have bought with steam activation requires steam activation and its if you want to play its not optional, that is of course my own experiance.

You sometimes can, sometimes can't (activate games on steam). Most games don't activate with steam, some do, and you're right, the majority of them are steamworks games, but not all.Don't get me wrong. Steam annoys me too sometimes, but sometimes games are just too cheap to resist. (eg i rebought TW1 on sale on steam, about the time i was having problems getting the enhanced edition working again. (Though it worked perfectly when it was oringally released)I mean a week ago or so, there was NSW-wide service disruptions, i was annoyed because i was disconnected from the (multiplayer) game i was playing at the time. To make matters worse, i thought "well that's annoying. While they fix it, i'll play a singleplayer game"So i went to play a game that was on steam, it took forever (timing out) and then offered me offline mode, it tried to start the game up (i'd played this game before) then told me the game was unavailable.

From what i have read the physical version needs activation once, then it doen't matter whether you have internet unless your planning on re-installing it constantly and the 50mb or 100mb is nothing compared to the 15gb download for the steam/gog version (going by information disclosed.) I would prefer to download my games but as of a 10gb limit exceeding it can be expensive.

Oh, no, i actually don't expect to be reinstalling much at all. My laptop is out of commision, so it'd most likely just be my PC, and maybe my dad's laptop if i go stay there for a bit.He's on satellite, doesn't appreciate me using any amount, because he's on a low download limit, get's charged for excess.Retail copies just make it more convenient like that, though i'd resent the 100MB download, and having to connect to the internet to install in the first place. (and in the area he lives in, if the weather is bad, i wouldn't be able to at all)I'd probably be installing the game once, or twice (if i installed it on my dad's laptop, while visiting him) and a couple of times down the line to re-play it.The whole thing is mainly on principal, and allows for extraordinary circumstances.If i'm capped to 64kb/s , i wouldn't appreciate a 100 MB download either.Not to mention...what if, god forbid, down the line, CD Projekt went bankrupt, like a lot of game studios are these days, or for some other reason (eg money) support for the game is ceased, and the verification servers go down.Or, like a recent example with dragon age origins, they have technical issues, locking you out of your game for days or more. (link)The whole DRM thing is bullsxxx for the end consumer.I'm just acidy about the whole matter, and deciding whether to go with a GoG download, or whether to just forgo the whole thing. Edit: Clarity[moderator]Edited: Advocating piracy is forbidden on this forum. Please do not do it again.[/moderator]

 

[freakie1one]

Well, it sounds like you are saying you are tempted to pirate the game. How would this be any different from buying it off of GOG? You'd still have a huge d/l to deal with (which is what you were originally complaining about).As far as buying retail goes, CDPR has said in the new FAQ that they are (at a later date) going to try and remove the DRM altogether in the retail version. This means that, hopefully, 6 months or so after the game is released that you will not have to worry about downloading a 50mb file to activate your game. You won't have to worry about whether or not SONY's activation servers are online for future installs.But either way, I don't see how you can justify trying to pirate a game when it doesn't make your problem any easier.

 

[Lexino]

For GOG downloads, you just add it to download queue via the website, then you sign into the downloader and it will automatically downloads it for you. you can also download via the browser if you prefer that. The file type of the download is a simple setup file, an exe, not a rar or whatever. when you downloaded it, you no longer require the GOG downloader. you just click the exe and thats it. you can back it up, etc.For the retail edition, I personally think its bit silly to boycott it just for a 50mb download, one-time activation and a key.

 

[F4tal3rror]

For GOG downloads, you just add it to download queue via the website, then you sign into the downloader and it will automatically downloads it for you. you can also download via the browser if you prefer that. The file type of the download is a simple setup file, an exe, not a rar or whatever.

Thanks

Well, it sounds like you are saying you are tempted to pirate the game. How would this be any different from buying it off of GOG? You'd still have a huge d/l to deal with (which is what you were originally complaining about).

The only difference really, is that i'd be supporting the developer.And no, what i was originally complaining about was the online activation DRM. The data/bandwidth usage is one of the reasons i prefer to go with retail, but mostly for ease of use. Usually a dvd allows you to install then and there without any further ado.

As far as buying retail goes, CDPR has said in the new FAQ that they are (at a later date) going to try and remove the DRM altogether in the retail version. This means that, hopefully, 6 months or so after the game is released that you will not have to worry about downloading a 50mb file to activate your game. You won't have to worry about whether or not SONY's activation servers are online for future installs.

Nice to know, but pity they aren't doing this a week after release or something. (since they say their major concern is the game getting leaked, cracked, and released prior to release)If i ordered through cd wow, who ship from hong kong (aus retail prices are rediculous, with often over a 50-100% markup) i wouldn't recieve the game for a week anyway.

 

[ravengr]

Steam, for instance, installs a game directly to a location.It's be nice if GoG just let you download an installer of some kind that you can keep on your computer, and install at your will.

know that the GoG version of TW2 is DRM-free, and has all (and more) the bonus content you want.

That's true, but unfortunately, it's all in digital form, which isn't quite the same for me, and isn't really convenient, like holding a map or manual in your hands while you play.

All GOG games can be downloaded as standalone installers using your webrowser or favorite download manager You can then do with the installer whatever you want. Burn it to a disc, copy it to a flash drive etc.

 

[freakie1one]

Yep, you'd be supporting one of the best developers out there instead of stealing from them. And I doubt they'll be able to remove the DRM one week after release but who knows? It all depends on how early CDPR can convince the publisher.

 

[archaven.84]

Thanks Ruaridh.. Now i understand bout GoG. Pretty much said.. I'm paying because i'm supporting CDPR because they are great developers with passion in their games.You know yourself should be rewarded if you worked hard on something right?.. You worked hard for an earning and wtf someone came and steal it from you. That's pretty frustrating you know..

 

[RuaridhGoG]

All the information is either in what a copy/pasted or in that link,I found the gog website to be very good and informative.I would have went for steam and after learning about gog i would have ordered from them.However due to my download limit i am getting a physical copy which is on preorder, personally i am a real sucker for all the extra goodies in this edition, ecpecially that art book, i think i was quite lucky to get a CE on preorder.

 

[soldiergeralt]

it seems you're so entrenched in your views of self entitlement nothing is going to satisfy you.coming on the forum to talk about pirating the game isn't a very bright idea, either way.[moderator]Edited for personal attack.[/moderator]

 

[Pangaea666]

I don't understand why you use steam if you take issues with DRM and having issues with internet dropping out and such. I'd never use steam if that was a problem for me. Heck, I never use them anyway. Think they suck nuts.Like you I prefer physical copies so I can enjoy the manual, reading maps, and installing when and where I want. Bit of a pain to must have the DVD (or CD) in the drive at all times, but better than having crapware on your computer phoning home and perhaps interrupting other software you have installed. With that in mid, Gog is a much better option if you want something totally free of DRM. Only downside is you still have to download it and you don't get a physical manual and such. If we got that from Gog I'd buy from them in a heartbeat. But now I'll probably go with the retail version instead, even though it has some DRM. Hopefully CDRP aren't lying to our faces like Bioware did on how intrusive the DRM is.CDPR have probably learnt the hard way that people don't trust them because there are so many crooks in the business.

 

[GuyNwah]

Well, it sounds like you are saying you are tempted to pirate the game. How would this be any different from buying it off of GOG? You'd still have a huge d/l to deal with (which is what you were originally complaining about).

The only difference really, is that i'd be supporting the developer.

No, one way is supporting the developer; the other way is stabbing the developer in the back.Pirates exist because freeloaders find excuses for not using the game the way it is licensed to them.And that is all I have heard from members complaining about DRM in this and other threads: self-justifying excuses.

 

[Pangaea666]

Why the fuck was my post deleted?!!Thankfully the back button had it saved.I don't understand why you use steam if you take issues with DRM and having issues with internet dropping out and such. I'd never use steam if that was a problem for me. Heck, I never use them anyway. Think they suck nuts.Like you I prefer physical copies so I can enjoy the manual, reading maps, and installing when and where I want. Bit of a pain to must have the DVD (or CD) in the drive at all times, but better than having crapware on your computer phoning home and perhaps interrupting other software you have installed. With that in mid, Gog is a much better option if you want something totally free of DRM. Only downside is you still have to download it and you don't get a physical manual and such. If we got that from Gog I'd buy from them in a heartbeat. But now I'll probably go with the retail version instead, even though it has some DRM. Hopefully CDRP aren't lying to our faces like Bioware did on how intrusive the DRM is.CDPR have probably learnt the hard way that people don't trust them because there are so many crooks in the business.

 

[Corylea.723]

[moderator]It's fine to express your displeasure that the retail version of TW2 has DRM. It's fine to ponder aloud whether you want to buy the game from GOG.com, from a retail vendor, or not play it at all. But advocating piracy is not permitted on this forum. Also, making personal attacks against other members is not permitted, no matter how hateful piracy is. You can disagree with what someone does, and you can disagree with their philosophy, but you can't call them names.Please, keep both personal attacks and advocacy of piracy out of this thread.Thanks![/moderator]

 

[coelocanth]

No, one way is supporting the developer; the other way is stabbing the developer in the back.Pirates exist because freeloaders find excuses for not using the game the way it is licensed to them.And that is all I have heard from members complaining about DRM in this and other threads: self-justifying excuses.

Self justifying excuses for what? If you think everyone that complains about DRM is a pirate, I don't think you've been reading many of the complaints. Some of us have had bad experiences with DRM and don't want to go through those experiences again. Once bitten, and all that.But gods forbid if you try to raise concerns about DRM on these boards I guess, or you get the CDPR Defense League jumping down your throat to tell you how ridiculous your concerns are, to just buy the game and shut up, and to basically hand-wave off any problems you may have had with DRM with the tired old "I've never had any problems with it" argument.