Support us on Patreon
PayPalIn a move that's both hilarious and also quite important, GOG have launched a new website named 'FCK DRM' to help people understand what DRM is and how it can be harmful.
I'm sure most of you know by know how much of a nuisance DRM can be, it's in games, movies and more and the purpose is supposed to be to deter piracy. However, a fair amount of the time it does end up hurting people purchasing games from legitimate sources.
DRM-free approach in games has been at the heart of GOG.COM from day one. We strongly believe that if you buy a game, it should be yours, and you can play it the way it’s convenient for you, and not how others want you to use it.
The landscape has changed since 2008, and today many people don’t realize what DRM even means. And still the DRM issue in games remains – you’re never sure when and why you can be blocked from accessing them. And it’s not only games that are affected, but your favourite books, music, movies and apps as well.
To use the perfect example: When EA released SimCity in 2013, even for the single-player part of the game you were forced to be online. I remember the outrage, why did people have to sit in a queue to play a game they've paid for in single-player or even offline? It's completely idiotic and so I do applaud any decent effort to ensure people know about DRM and why it can be a real crappy thing.
It's an important issue, you don't want to suddenly lose access to games you've paid for before servers go offline or the developer decides to vanish. There's so many examples of why sticking DRM into games is a bad thing, it also never really stops piracy as people always end up finding away around it.
Visit the FCKDRM site for more.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Some you may have missed, popular articles from the last month:
The comments on this article are closed.
Doc Angelo Aug 22, 2018
Quoting: PikoloThe official version is that the Witcher 3 CD release had DRM which got cracked while the online(aka. through GOG) release didn't. And I think both happened simultaneously
I took a quick look at this and it seems like the Witcher 3 disc version was sold before the game was officially released. You had to download a small patch to make the game work. If this server ceases to exist, the discs are becoming useless on their own. Though, you can backup the patch and put it along with the original discs. It's suboptimal, but I think it's kinda OK. They wanted to sell physical pre-orders, and this was their way of doing it.
2 Likes, Who?
Quoting: Doc AngeloQuoting: PikoloThe official version is that the Witcher 3 CD release had DRM which got cracked while the online(aka. through GOG) release didn't. And I think both happened simultaneously
I took a quick look at this and it seems like the Witcher 3 disc version was sold before the game was officially released. You had to download a small patch to make the game work. If this server ceases to exist, the discs are becoming useless on their own. Though, you can backup the patch and put it along with the original discs. It's suboptimal, but I think it's kinda OK. They wanted to sell physical pre-orders, and this was their way of doing it.
I can confirm, at the time I bought the Boxed edition. I still have this patch on my HDD, around 300 Mo.
But I didn't look around how to install it in 2018 if this patch is missing.
Is it still available online officially? I don't know.
But the good point is that GOG gave you a GOG key for download the entire game, it's like having it two times.
0 Likes
Luke_Nukem Aug 22, 2018
Quoting: niarbehtQuoting: Alm888They preaching about DRM-free while at the same time forcing Galaxy towards everyone's throats.
I fail to see what your point here is.
They're not, and it's not required for their games at all - it also functions as a handy download manager for your DRM free library.
0 Likes
Quoting: ZlopezGalaxy isn't DRM, you don't need it to play GOG games.
Remember when Stardew Valley's multiplayer was locked behind Galaxy, and Linux users couldn't play it at all? Remember when they finally made the MP files available for download outside of Galaxy, and it was an old version with a crippling bug that meant you could only play via LAN?
Pepperidge Farm remembers.
Last edited by Trinexx on 23 August 2018 at 12:26 am UTC
2 Likes, Who?
Quoting: einherjarI AFAIK the witcher 2 and 3 where Denuvo tempered.
Cyberpunk will surely not be DRM free in the first weeks.
That's quite false since GOG doesn't accept games with Denuvo.
0 Likes
In light of the recent Proton/WINE news from Valve, there is a slight hint of sour grapes from GOG with this post. Or at least, it is a bit of a coincidence the order that these news items came out.
Meanwhile, it is probably worth stating my position - I am not a fan of DRM, and I would be very happy if more games were DRM-free. When I decide to buy a game, having a DRM-free download helps me to go ahead with the purchase. I feel that DRM is detrimental to me as a consumer, and tends to stop me using a product how I'd like. If I buy a game, I'd prefer if it didn't need to be constantly online, and prevent me from keeping a working backup, etc. I like the idea of playing a game product I own without it being tied to a client application in order to play it.
Saying that I don't feel that Steam client itself is especially a DRM issue. You can download games from Steam without the client (i.e. using SteamCmd) and if the game developer put a DRM-free copy of the game on Steam, then you can play it without Steam. It comes down to Valve is not enforcing DRM on their client, it is the game publisher who enforces it. Also, Steam client's offline mode does help alleviate DRM issues with some games.
Getting back to GOG - I have bought numerous games on GOG and happy to have DRM-free downloads. Until Valve's recent Proton announcement, I was very much favouring purchase of any DRM-free Windows games on GOG (over Steam). My reason - Because if I was going to play a Windows game in my own WINE-tweaked compatibility layer, I wouldn't want a Steam client running on WINE as well. However, now that Proton is coming out... well... It makes running Windows games on Linux a lot easier. Also, the fact that playing these Windows games on Proton registers as a Linux usage also rings well with me.
Saying all the above, I'll still buy more DRM-free games on GOG (but probably less than before) and I'm absolutely going to favour Linux native ports over Windows games that I might purchase to play using Proton. But, things have moved more in Steam's direction for me now.
Last edited by g000h on 23 August 2018 at 2:01 am UTC
Meanwhile, it is probably worth stating my position - I am not a fan of DRM, and I would be very happy if more games were DRM-free. When I decide to buy a game, having a DRM-free download helps me to go ahead with the purchase. I feel that DRM is detrimental to me as a consumer, and tends to stop me using a product how I'd like. If I buy a game, I'd prefer if it didn't need to be constantly online, and prevent me from keeping a working backup, etc. I like the idea of playing a game product I own without it being tied to a client application in order to play it.
Saying that I don't feel that Steam client itself is especially a DRM issue. You can download games from Steam without the client (i.e. using SteamCmd) and if the game developer put a DRM-free copy of the game on Steam, then you can play it without Steam. It comes down to Valve is not enforcing DRM on their client, it is the game publisher who enforces it. Also, Steam client's offline mode does help alleviate DRM issues with some games.
Getting back to GOG - I have bought numerous games on GOG and happy to have DRM-free downloads. Until Valve's recent Proton announcement, I was very much favouring purchase of any DRM-free Windows games on GOG (over Steam). My reason - Because if I was going to play a Windows game in my own WINE-tweaked compatibility layer, I wouldn't want a Steam client running on WINE as well. However, now that Proton is coming out... well... It makes running Windows games on Linux a lot easier. Also, the fact that playing these Windows games on Proton registers as a Linux usage also rings well with me.
Saying all the above, I'll still buy more DRM-free games on GOG (but probably less than before) and I'm absolutely going to favour Linux native ports over Windows games that I might purchase to play using Proton. But, things have moved more in Steam's direction for me now.
Last edited by g000h on 23 August 2018 at 2:01 am UTC
7 Likes, Who?
I cam only support them in their efforts, because DRM may look "fine" until you RAM your face in it and then it feels like stone wall of ignorance to customers.
Thats my story - just some time ago i needed some ebooks of specific matter which i, unexpectedly, found to be sold in Google Play. I haven't read carefully, gone, purchased my stuff and...WTF, instead of simply downloading my epubs and pdfs i got strange file which i was supposed to open in Adobe Collections app or something.
And that is most funny is this app is absolutely dont work on Linux - its not supported officially, its not working in wine too and in the end you have to also either create account on Adobe to ever access your stuff, at least WHILE both adobe and ebook seller supports this scheme or download books in way that they will be open-able only locally.
I was so freaking pissed off. Oh yes, you can use Google's android app to view book too, but it kinda sucks too.
OFC after some time i found same stuff in another store, reasonably priced and drm-free and got it here. NEVER EVER going to purchase books on Google Play (albeit i do rent movies sometimes here, usually on promo deals).
And MOST awful thing that there was times when Google play had no DRM for ebooks or it was optional, but at some moment they went hardcore and made it mandatory for all past and future purchases.
One more case is Google press service - at some moment they disable viewing press in non-chrome browsers "because of copy protection", so you out of luck by not using their own browser.
Thats my story - just some time ago i needed some ebooks of specific matter which i, unexpectedly, found to be sold in Google Play. I haven't read carefully, gone, purchased my stuff and...WTF, instead of simply downloading my epubs and pdfs i got strange file which i was supposed to open in Adobe Collections app or something.
And that is most funny is this app is absolutely dont work on Linux - its not supported officially, its not working in wine too and in the end you have to also either create account on Adobe to ever access your stuff, at least WHILE both adobe and ebook seller supports this scheme or download books in way that they will be open-able only locally.
I was so freaking pissed off. Oh yes, you can use Google's android app to view book too, but it kinda sucks too.
OFC after some time i found same stuff in another store, reasonably priced and drm-free and got it here. NEVER EVER going to purchase books on Google Play (albeit i do rent movies sometimes here, usually on promo deals).
And MOST awful thing that there was times when Google play had no DRM for ebooks or it was optional, but at some moment they went hardcore and made it mandatory for all past and future purchases.
One more case is Google press service - at some moment they disable viewing press in non-chrome browsers "because of copy protection", so you out of luck by not using their own browser.
2 Likes, Who?
Quoting: KuromiI cam only support them in their efforts, because DRM may look "fine" until you RAM your face in it and then it feels like stone wall of ignorance to customers.Adobe digital editions 2.0.1 works in wine, a windows python script (uses a windows only library, but works in wine) can extract the key, and a calibre plugin from dedrm_tools can use the key to remove drm from downloaded books, and then add it to your calibre library. I definitely prefer to buy DRM-free, but the plugin makes it bearable. Search for apprenticeharper/DeDRM_tools on github.
Thats my story - just some time ago i needed some ebooks of specific matter which i, unexpectedly, found to be sold in Google Play. I haven't read carefully, gone, purchased my stuff and...WTF, instead of simply downloading my epubs and pdfs i got strange file which i was supposed to open in Adobe Collections app or something.
And that is most funny is this app is absolutely dont work on Linux - its not supported officially, its not working in wine too and in the end you have to also either create account on Adobe to ever access your stuff, at least WHILE both adobe and ebook seller supports this scheme or download books in way that they will be open-able only locally.
I was so freaking pissed off. Oh yes, you can use Google's android app to view book too, but it kinda sucks too.
OFC after some time i found same stuff in another store, reasonably priced and drm-free and got it here. NEVER EVER going to purchase books on Google Play (albeit i do rent movies sometimes here, usually on promo deals).
And MOST awful thing that there was times when Google play had no DRM for ebooks or it was optional, but at some moment they went hardcore and made it mandatory for all past and future purchases.
One more case is Google press service - at some moment they disable viewing press in non-chrome browsers "because of copy protection", so you out of luck by not using their own browser.
It is sad when DRM means you have to remove it, before you can use a product you paid for.
*EDIT: It is possible I am wrong about which version of digital editions that works. I double checked, and I cannot find it installed in any of the likely wine bottles on my computer. I know I have managed to install and run one of the older versions though.
Last edited by Ketil on 23 August 2018 at 9:12 am UTC
2 Likes, Who?
Mountain Man Aug 23, 2018
Too bad they also seem to have a "FCK LINUX" initiative. When is the Linux version of GoG Galaxy supposed to be released again?
3 Likes, Who?
Quoting: Ketilwindows python script (uses a windows only library, but works in wine) can extract the key, and a calibre plugin from dedrm_tools can use the key to remove drm from downloaded books, and then add it to your calibre library.
Yes, i tried it (in VirtualBox) but thing is that to use DeDRM you need to use OLD ADE with OLD encryption scheme. And not all sellers allows of use of that old scheme, Google seems to forbid it, so Old ADE just refused to download anything.
Fortunately i didnt purchased a lot in bulk on first purchase, so it was easier to say "Fck it" and purchase 100% non-drm version elsewhere. Yes, its little lazy, but i needed those books anyway.
Interesting thing is that it seem seller i used to get DRM-fee version is same which provided content for these titles on Google Play in first place, but in their store they have DRM on very few titles, which means its not their choice.
Still i had enough headache with it, to be waaay more careful now.
Last edited by Kuromi on 23 August 2018 at 8:54 pm UTC
0 Likes
See more from me