DRM?

[Kung Fu Hotdog]

Hey People,

I saw that GreenManGaming were selling this on PC at a discount, but came with the caveat it has DRM. Does the Steam version also include that, as I would be keen to avoid at all costs. Many thanks.

[Luxia]

GMG sells *the* Steam version in the form of a key.

There's no Denuvo but I assume the very basic Steam DRM is in.

[lukaself]

They're using the ubiquitous Steamworks DRM, which means you need the Steam client open to install and run the game - that's the only limit: There's no online requirement, limited installs or abusive DRM.

Currently there is no DRM-free version of Elden Ring in any store.

[warmy bear]

thhe steam version does include that considering steam is a form of drm

[Raptor85]

Originally posted by Warmy Bear:

thhe steam version does include that considering steam is a form of drm

Not true, steamworks DRM is optional, many games use it but it's not required to be on steam, tons of games don't have it.

[lukaself]

Originally posted by Warmy Bear:

thhe steam version does include that considering steam is a form of drm

Not exactly, the DRM is separate from the client and using it or not is left at the liberty of the publisher/developer. Steam also sells DRM-free games: https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/The_big_list_of_DRM-free_games_on_Steam

Edit: Raptors are known for being very fast.

[Raptor85]

Originally posted by lukaself:

Originally posted by Warmy Bear:

thhe steam version does include that considering steam is a form of drm

Not exactly, the DRM is separate from the client and using it or not is left at the liberty of the publisher/developer. Steam also sells DRM-free games: https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/The_big_list_of_DRM-free_games_on_Steam

That list is just vetted ones too, where someone noticed it didn't have the DRM and added it to the wiki. It's actually pretty common on steam that if third party DRM is used they don't use the steamworks DRM as well.

Hell, on the dev pages even valve suggests NOT using the steam DRM in favor of using things like achivements to increase value instead https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/features/drm
it's not nearly as commonly used as people tend to believe.

[Rogue]

Steam itself is DRM...

[lukaself]

Originally posted by Rogue:

Steam itself is DRM...

No it isn't. The DRM is a separate service from the Steam client. The links above show as much but if you only believe what you can see, you can easily check that for yourself: take the first game you own in the list of DRM-free titles above (For instance, Assault Android Cactus), install it, completely exit Steam and launch the executable directly from the game's folder located at "SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\Assault Android Cactus" and you'll notice it'll launch just fine.

You can even copy the install folder somewhere else, completely uninstall Steam, unplug your router or install it on a portable storage, use it on a different computer and you'll still be able to play the game. Congratulations, you're the proud owner of a DRM-free game that you bought and downloaded on Steam!

[Kung Fu Hotdog]

Thank you all for getting back to me, really helped. Cheers people!

[Rogue]

Originally posted by lukaself:

Originally posted by Rogue:

Steam itself is DRM...

No it isn't. The DRM is a separate service from the Steam client. The links above show as much but if you only believe what you can see, you can easily check that for yourself: take the first game you own in the list of DRM-free titles above (For instance, Assault Android Cactus), install it, completely exit Steam and launch the executable directly from the game's folder located at "SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\Assault Android Cactus" and you'll notice it'll launch just fine.

You can even copy the install folder somewhere else, completely uninstall Steam, unplug your router or install it on a portable storage, use it on a different computer and you'll still be able to play the game. Congratulations, you're the proud owner of a DRM-free game that you bought and downloaded on Steam! :happyotus:

https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/features/drm , ALL games you buy on steam is considered under its DRM.

Understand the meaning of DRM. Without DRM means you just download the game without client or verification of ownership and just play. For instance, you still have to first get a copy of Assault Android Cactus from Steam. Once humble bundle store even offered the game as DRM-free AND a steam key(DRM).

[MundM]

What? Having it on Steam literally means DRM. Steam is the DRM.

[WhiteLezard]

Not having Denuvo or another form of DRM doesn't mean that Steam can't take your games away; just ask Russian gamers.

[lukaself]

Originally posted by Rogue:

https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/features/drm , ALL games you buy on steam is considered under its DRM.

Understand the meaning of DRM. Without DRM means you just download the game without client or verification of ownership and just play. For instance, you still have to first get a copy of Assault Android Cactus from Steam. Once humble bundle store even offered the game as DRM-free AND a steam key(DRM).

And how do you download that DRM-free game you just bought without logging into your Humble Bundle account first to verify you own it? By your definition, the games sold on GOG wouldn't be DRM-free either because you have to verify ownership before downloading as well.

In the case of DRM-free titles AND ONLY in those cases, Steam acts as a mere delivery method and although they don't advertise that fact, we've given you the means to verify that claim. There are thousands of DRM free games on Steam, including for instance all CDPR games, the whole Paradox Catalog, the entire Devolver collection and Valve's own in-house developed games... etc.

Definition of "DRM-free on Steam"

DRM-free on Steam does not refer to games which don't use third-party DRM; the Steam client is DRM if it is required to run the game.
DRM-free games on Steam are games which do not require the Steam client or any third-party DRM in order to launch said game's respective executable or startup script (.exe .bin .app .sh).
DRM-free games can be moved outside of the Steam folder and used freely.
Steam does not have any official designation for games which are/aren't DRM-free - these must be tested by the editors themselves.
https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/The_big_list_of_DRM-free_games_on_Steam

Originally posted by WhiteLezard:

Not having Denuvo or another form of DRM doesn't mean that Steam can't take your games away; just ask Russian gamers.

Those games used DRM, either the one you can add under Steamworks or another. If they had downloaded DRM-free games, they wouldn't have this issue. GOG could also prevent russian players from downloading their games if they wanted, that does not mean the games they sell aren't DRM-free.

[Raptor85]

Originally posted by Rogue:

https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/features/drm , ALL games you buy on steam is considered under its DRM.

Understand the meaning of DRM. Without DRM means you just download the game without client or verification of ownership and just play. For instance, you still have to first get a copy of Assault Android Cactus from Steam. Once humble bundle store even offered the game as DRM-free AND a steam key(DRM).

Have you even read the link? It says right in it DRM is an optional component, I have a partner account, when you publish to steam if you want the DRM you have to run it through their script to add it, it's not automatic and not required.

For example, factorio, it's a great game if you haven't played it, download it from steam, copy the folder, delete steam, factorio still works, easy example of a popular game.