Also backed this one. So far GOG release is listed, so it doesn't seem to be falling for Epic's exclusivity bait.

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Quoting: smantz0rZThere's an awful lot of people who 'demand' Linux ports an then when it comes time to buy, don't. The best way to show demand is to buy Linux versions that are on the market, show that you've bought them (reviews, comments, tweets, etc) and then go out and say "Look how successful Linux was on this game." That's what makes a difference.

Sure, for developers who already sell Linux games, that's an obvious way to do it. But I was talking about those who still don't. They can't see how other games are selling - that info isn't shared with them. So the only way for them to analyze demand are some requests from potential buyers. A more advanced version of that is crowdfunding, when demand is demonstrated by the number of backers (especially if there is also some poll for preferred platform in advance).

By the way, recently Supraland developer pointed out, that GOG doesn't show sales/downloads per OS for developers. That looks like a major problem for them to estimate such demand at least on GOG.

See: https://www.gog.com/forum/general/release_supraland_aec23/post64 [External Link]

Do you know why GOG are not providing such info?

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Interestingly, according to Supraland developer, he can't see split per OS for GOG purchases [External Link].



Why is GOG not providing that information to developers?

@JudasIscariot?

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Quoting: ChronariusWhich is not DRM! If I copy a game directory or make backup how I see fit then this ok.

Not according to your agreement with Steam. If you want to break it, it's your own choice, but according to Steam it's clearly not OK, so saying "see, it's not DRMed" is not helping anything, I already explained it above.

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Quoting: x_wingYes, that's definitely a problem if Steam cease to exist... and if the user agreement has any value in that case (or if I decide to "follow the law").

I pointed it out above. Being able to use what you bought after the store closes down is a major part of DRM-free purchase. So if Steam doesn't fit that condition, it's not DRM-free for me.

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Quoting: x_wingThere are facts and what you like to understand.

All you showed me is a "may be". I showed you explicit statement, that says that account is required. No account - no [legally usable] backups. So please, let's not repeat this all over, unless you have other sources.

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Quoting: x_wingLets stop playing this game of "what if" and "what I understand" and lets go for the facts:

Indeed, I see no point in further refuting your wrong claims that contradict the TOS which says you need Steam account to be allowed to use their games. You can show me the source which says that Steam allows you doing backups and using them without Steam account. Or otherwise let's move on to other topics, because I'm not going to agree with you.

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Quoting: marcusThis is not true and you are arguing yourself into a corner here.

It's included in these points:

We give you and other GOG users the personal right (known legally as a 'licence') to use GOG services and to download, access and/or stream (depending on the content) and use GOG content. This licence is for your personal use. We can stop or suspend this licence in some situations, which are explained later on.

You have the personal right to use GOG content and services. This right can be suspended or stopped by us in some situations.
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It seems very unlikely, but if we have to stop providing access to GOG services and GOG content permanently (not because of any breach by you), we will try to give you at least sixty (60) days advance notice by posting a note on www.gog.com and sending an email to every registered users – during that time you should be able to download any GOG content you purchased.

In the very unlikely situation that we have to stop running GOG we'll do our best to give you advance notice, so that you can download and safely store all your DRM-free content.

Backups are personal use, and second part shows that you can use them, even if the service shuts down.

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Quoting: x_wingStill, they explicitly says that you may be able to use Content and Services without their Client or an Internet connection.

Without saying when. So you can't extrapolate from there. Basically they can interpret that like they want. So for the user it basically is equal to "you can't, unless we told you you can".

Even if you argue you can ask them to clarify the ambiguity, the worse part is the account presence issue. One of the points of DRM-free purchase is ability to use what you bought even if the store shuts down. Requirement to have an account prevents you from legally doing it.

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Quoting: x_wingAs I already quoted, it reads "you may be required". It's a conditional requirement for the usage of their Content and Services. In other words, if you can run it without the client running, then you're fine.

It's not clear what "may be" refers to. But other points are explicit:

To make use of the Content and Services, you must have a Steam Account and you may be required to be running the Steam client and maintaining a connection to the Internet. <...>
Except as otherwise permitted under this Agreement (including any Subscription Terms or Rules of Use), or under applicable law notwithstanding these restrictions, you may not, in whole or in part, copy, photocopy, reproduce, publish, distribute, translate, reverse engineer, derive source code from, modify, disassemble, decompile, create derivative works based on, or remove any proprietary notices or labels from the Content and Services or any software accessed via Steam without the prior consent, in writing, of Valve.

I.e. they stress that only what's the agreement allows is permitted, so you can't extrapolate anything implicitly, like I said above. I don't see from the agreement that you can make backups without the client. And let alone use them, if your account is gone (which can happen if Steam shuts down or simply cancels your account).

Quoting: x_wingIt also should be explicit that you're not allowed to do something.

Usually the opposite. Copyright allows only what's explicitly specified. Negative parts of the agreement are aimed at reducing what you can normally do by law.

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