Flow

So what you're saying is if I use Steam to download the game and then uninstall Steam. The game will still work without it? Yes, that's what I'm saying. The point is DRM is not a Steam requirement. It's an optional feature the developer/publisher can choose to use. PoE will apparently be using Steam DRM, so if you want your digital keys guaranteed DRM-free, your option is GOG. I still don't see why PoE WILL APPARENTLY be using Steam DRM (aka Steamworks CEG). Who says that? Any official word on that I've missed? That would be completely unlogical and unitelligible given the fact that both Obsidian and Paradox don't like DRM themselves and almost all former Paradox published/made games don't use Steamworks CEG... http://forums.obsidian.net/topic/70039-update-88-final-sprint-and-release-date/page-2?do=findComment&comment=1557231

First thing I turn off in IE games is the character command acknowledgement and selection voices as those start to annoy me real quick. Would be nice to see that option in PE.

Retro for the sake of it. Oh well. As long as you can turn it off.

So what you're saying is if I use Steam to download the game and then uninstall Steam. The game will still work without it? Yes, that's what I'm saying. The point is DRM is not a Steam requirement. It's an optional feature the developer/publisher can choose to use. PoE will apparently be using Steam DRM, so if you want your digital keys guaranteed DRM-free, your option is GOG.

You're assuming he has 64-bit hardware. Definitely not a guarantee with a 10 year old machine. If the OP wants to do a bit of research into upgrading his existing hardware, start with getting some info on the CPU and motherboard: http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html That will at least tell us if a RAM upgrade is possible.

Why? Download the extras you're entitled to off the backer portal and archive them. What difference does it make if you get the stuff directly from Obsidian or from GOG?

Does this apply in the US eg is it worldwide? I don't personally own any of those games on Steam so I can't test it. (edit) and of course it still doesn't negate the complaint that you still "need" Steam client to purchase/download and patch the game. I just fired up Wasteland 2 and Shovel Knight without the Steam client running. Works fine.

Feature request: cricket volume slider.

As threads often do, we've strayed from the original question. Did you actually read the post you're quoting? I won't be playing PoE with a controller.

Wireless keyboards and mice exist. Also yes, I use a tv as my monitor. Have for a very long time. I don't think you get the scenario. My Setup... Two PCs. System A: Current/beefy. At a desk with a pair of monitors. Used for games which work best with mouse/KB. System B: Built almost entirely from hand-me-down parts, but still good enough to handle most games at 1080p (or 720p in a pinch). A and B are not in the same room. B is connected to a TV/stereo via HDMI. Now, I like plopping my ass on the couch and playing big-budget AAA nonsense on occasion, but I loathe consoles. What to do? Enter Steam Big Picture. With my cheaply-built secondary gaming system I have a PC that essentially works like a console without the compromises. Install Steam and set it to launch in Big Picture mode on boot. With an Xbox 360 controller and a wireless dongle, I now have a PC that can be comfortably controlled from a reclined position 10 feet away without the need for an awkward wireless keyboard/mouse setup. Big Picture is exceptionally well-designed for this. Bonus: with cloud saves, I can easily move between the desk and TV PCs without manually shuffling saves over the LAN. So... am I going to let an obsession with DRM override my interest in a good gaming experience? Nah. probably not.

Nope. Steam games that don't use Steam's DRM can be launched without the client.

Two things. 1: You can still use GoG and Steam but use GoG for when the game is on both. You know like for Witcher 3, Legend of Grimrock 2, and all those other old ancient games GoG has. 2: Big picture is ass and I have no clue how you can possibly think it is better than the default UI. Yes it works better on a controller but you know I can always just switch to the controller AFTER I launch the game. The normal interface is far faster to navigate and much easier to use, you just don't use a controller for it. Eh? I suspect you're doing it wrong. You know Big Picture is meant to be used with a TV you're sitting 6-10 feet away from, yeah? You prefer using the KB/mouse and the default interface on your couch?

Better patching, cloud saves, Big Picture, much larger catalog of games. If you play nothing but mouse/KB-driven games and old titles, GOG is great. If you play a lot of different games, Steam is the better/only option. A PC hooked up to your TV with a controller is a great alternative to pathetically underpowered consoles for big budget releases, platformers, etc. Big Picture actually makes that a good experience. The only notable issue I see with DRM as implemented by Steam is the possibility that if Valve goes under some day your games library goes poof. A valid concern, but not something I'm going to spend my time worrying about. I choose a superior feature set and convenience over paranoia. GOG is great. I have quite a few games there. But they have a way to go before they're at Steam's level.

I believe that makes you the john. Apologies to anyone named John.

You'd think, but I had to ask. They could also go with some kind of patch tool that automates the process, but I doubt they'll have the time or resources to develop such a thing.

Yeah...to be clear what I said in my above post re: copying game directory before letting Steam patch it doesn't mean you can play it without Steam. Only that if you wanted, you can then copy that "patch version" of the game back into the Steamapps directory. Steam has an option for backing up indvidual games which compresses everything into a nice restore package. Manually copying off the directory works too, but adding things back can get a bit messy if you don't use the official tool.

The Steam version will apparently be DRM-ed, so you won't be able to just copy off the install directory and end up with something that will work without the Steam client. All GOG games can be downloaded as an installation package and archived. For both Steam and GOG, patches are rolled into the install packages. They aren't individually available. I just asked if individual patches will be available for those of us installing from physical discs, and the answer seems to be a tentative "yes". But I'd say it's highly unlikely those patches will work with Steam or GOG versions.

Steam. Just easier and faster patching is enough for me. Assuming Obsidian implements cloud saves, that's also a big selling point. If you decide later that you really, really want a DRM-free installer, wait for the inevitable sales and buy another copy from GOG.

Still curious about patches/updates for boxed copies. Is Obsidian planning to make these available as individual downloads, or will there by a NWN/NWN2-style patch tool that queries a server.

They likely had plans in place before GTA5's latest delay. At some point, you have to stop trying to predict your competition and just pick a date.

They've bumped the Witcher 3 release date a couple of times. It's now at May 19. Current competition is GTAV, but I'd say that's appealing to a very different market.

You mean not doing certain quests because completing them might not work with your alignment or not bothering because they bore you? I suppose I'm a bit in the Sensuki camp on this one. I did/do a lot of optional quests just for the challenge. If I was depending entirely on story to motivate me, I'd probably find a lot of pointless fluff.* But that's video games. With a few notable exceptions, even the best cRPG writing doesn't usually match the storytelling quality of your averge novel. You have to look at it as an interactive experience. *Here's where I contradict myself. I'm currently playing through DA:Inquisition almost entirely for the story. I kinda hate the combat.

My Neutral Evil sociopath PC doesn't give a toot about Imoen, and clearly the Cowled Wizards are quite competent and have Irenicus safely under lock and key somewhere suitably unpleasant. She's already forgotten all about him and is more interested in climbing the ranks of the Shadow Thieves, maybe having Bloodscalp assassinated in some way that can't be traced back to her and stepping into his shoes, once she's gotten a bit more influence in Athkatla maybe. Hah. I'm not sure going evil is the best choice for a first BG2 play through, but good luck.

Honestly, as much as I love Baldur's Gate 2, this is one of the things I really think that Baldur's Gate 2 did terribly. Baldur's Gate 1 had an amazing main quest, that made me feel like I was on a mission to find things out, piece things together, to solve a puzzle and find the answers. Baldur's Gate 2 drops everything in your lap and continously tries to dangle two very loose motivations in front of you; finding Imoen or finding out what Irenicus wanted with you. But it never really explains to you why you'd care. Not really, or rather, when it tries, it just simply fails. Much of the main quest in Baldur's Gate 2 feels like a chore, a quest that was forced upon you, but you don't really *care* about it. Parts of it is really well done, but the storytelling itself as a whole is.. meh. Utter meh. Whether the game does a good job of making the player care is a personal question, but the PC would certainly care. Some guy has your step sister in prison and is rather openly plotting against you. Seems like a problem.

Ermm... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxjCJxfECD8