Is it DRM-free?

[Pooka Mustard™]

Its the only paid game on my wish list, if only to ultimately support 07th Expansion and probably get a new slice of the game, since through some sort of paradox, I hate Valve and their terrible client. But the terrible client is the only way I can buy this version of my most beloved Higurashi (or is it not?)

So, do I need to have Steam running in order to run Onikakushi?

INSTRUCTIONS:
Checking whether that is true or not is dead easy. Find where you installed Onikakushi (search with Windows, look around, or check the game's properties in Steam and then open folder), and when the game folder is in front of you, terminate Steam (my favorite method involves hitting Ctrl+Alt+ESC, looking for steam.exe under the Details tab in Windows 8 or the Processes tab in Windows 7 and before if you still happen to be on it, and clicking on it, then on end task). Then run the executable responsible for presenting Onikakushi. If it runs without anything Steam opening first, its a positive. If any part of Steam shows up though, its negative.


Thanks in advance.

[Ohagi-Chan]

DRM free if you buy from Mangagamer.com ( NSFW)

[Pooka Mustard™]

Originally posted by Theoneandonly Bustablademan:

DRM free if you buy from Mangagamer.com ( NSFW)

Cool, but any other vendor? If I want to trade it, I don't want my trader to go to a website that leaks full of NSFW...

[kilicool64]

Originally posted by MeetMeAtOriginPooka Mustard™:

Originally posted by Theoneandonly Bustablademan:

DRM free if you buy from Mangagamer.com ( NSFW)

Cool, but any other vendor? If I want to trade it, I don't want my trader to go to a website that leaks full of NSFW...

Nope.

[Pooka Mustard™]

Uh-huh...

So what about the version you can buy on Steam? Do I need Steam running just for it?

[Harag]

I don't think you can buy DRM-free games on steam..

[Yirba]

There are DRM-free games on Steam. Unfortunately Higurashi does not appear to be one of them. Attempting to launch the game outside of Steam caused Steam to open up and ask for my username and password.

[Pooka Mustard™]

Originally posted by Yirba:

There are DRM-free games on Steam. Unfortunately Higurashi does not appear to be one of them. Attempting to launch the game outside of Steam caused Steam to open up and ask for my username and password.

Hmm. Did you try renaming the steam.exe? To something better like shteam.exe, or rename its folder to 'ultra useless trash service' (also the folder name I use myself)? Some games force steam if you have it installed while some just forgets about Steam if it can't find it.

[Pooka Mustard™]

Originally posted by Harag:

I don't think you can buy DRM-free games on steam..

There are not much DRM-free games around Steam, and that's because more Steam games are insisting to put DRM on them... I hate this planet. But will GOG, and GOG Galaxy, save it?

[Yirba]

Originally posted by MeetMeAtOriginPooka Mustard™:

Hmm. Did you try renaming the steam.exe? To something better like shteam.exe, or rename its folder to 'ultra useless trash service' (also the folder name I use myself)? Some games force steam if you have it installed while some just forgets about Steam if it can't find it.

I tried a few different things, but the game just seems to quit if it can't find Steam.

[Pooka Mustard™]

Originally posted by Yirba:

Originally posted by MeetMeAtOriginPooka Mustard™:

Hmm. Did you try renaming the steam.exe? To something better like shteam.exe, or rename its folder to 'ultra useless trash service' (also the folder name I use myself)? Some games force steam if you have it installed while some just forgets about Steam if it can't find it.

I tried a few different things, but the game just seems to quit if it can't find Steam.

Then yep. Even my first and most favorite VN (after watching the anime, but still the VN is enjoyable and takes time to explain while the anime rushes and is best used for visualizing scenes), even my most beloved Higurashi cannot run without Steam if bought from Steam.

Fortunately, Mangagamer's website seems to provide it DRM-free. Unfortunately, Mangagamer is NSFW. I need to find a way around that level of NSFW if I want to buy it via trading.

Thanks for your troubles, sir!

[Ohagi-Chan]

Originally posted by MeetMeAtOriginPooka Mustard™:

Fortunately, Mangagamer's website seems to provide it DRM-free. Unfortunately, Mangagamer is NSFW. I need to find a way around that level of NSFW if I want to buy it via trading.

You can't trade the version bought from MangaGamer.com. You merely purchase the permission to download the game. MangaGamer DO HOWEVER also give you a single Steam Key in addition to the download portal, which while it can not be traded, you can tell someone what the key is. This is against Steam's trading policy and Steam does warn users against trading for anything that can not be put into the trading box.

[Yirba]

I don't think the OP wants the Steam key, considering they are asking if the game is DRM-free.

My understanding is that the OP would like someone else to purchase the game on their behalf which, while a little complicated, is theoretically possible.

[Pooka Mustard™]

Originally posted by Yirba:

I don't think the OP wants the Steam key, considering they are asking if the game is DRM-free.

My understanding is that the OP would like someone else to purchase the game on their behalf which, while a little complicated, is theoretically possible.

Yes. I don't like Steam keys, I just want the ability to download a pure DRM free version of the game without any restrictions Steam will force upon me, such as running the client first to play second.

I know the rules, but I believe these rules do not ultimately stop me from engaging in trades where I get goods superior than Steam goods but outside. They're just yelling 'no, we won't support you if the trade had goods out of the trading window if you are scammed," nothing more. My friend, I trust. I've bought many Humble Bundle games from him as well as even Google Play gift cards via trading. Getting access to Higurashi without DRM is easy, assuming I find way around the fact that MangaGamer is NSFW.

[Yirba]

I can only think of two solutions: You could find some way for your friend to purchase from MangaGamer outside of their website (this sometimes happens when people are unable to pay by credit/debit card). Otherwise you could involve a third party who is willing to purchase Higurashi from the website for you.