I don't know the odds of it happening, but I want GalCiv 3 to be made available on other digital distribution platforms (platforms other than Steam). I made a wishlist entry here on GOG:http://www.gog.com/wishlist/games/galactic_civilizations_3If you don't already know, GOG (Good Old Games) is a DRM free digital distributor. When you buy a game there, you can download the game as files which you can then run on your computer. These files don't need a separate downloader or installer program, they don't need to call home, etc. They are complete. They are clean of unwanted extras. GOG may have made their name on good old games, but they also deal in new games as well (not long ago I pre-ordered Shadow Warrior 2013 from them). So nothing will stop them from putting this game in their library... short of Stardock saying no.As such, I would like those of you who read this thread and want a non-Steam version of the game, to go vote using the link I provided. Many games there have got 10k+ votes, so I'm hoping for that. I really want Stardock to consider GOG to be a viable option. I think many votes will help them see it as a good option.
Some good news. We managed to get 50 votes in less than 24 hours. If we can keep up the pace we should be able to get 10k votes in about 200 days.I'm still hopeful that the pace increases and we get more than 10k votes. I really want Stardock to see that there is a strong interest in alternatives to Steam.
Even if my account is cancelled, I can still play the games I bought from GOG.com without the need to go online.
I'm all for a GOG verson of GalCiv3. Really, Stardock would do well to make it available on both platforms, That way, the Steam haters can get it on GOG, and vice-versa.
I am seeing a lot of hate here for steam.
You all should be praising lord Gaben.
http://gaben.tv/
I don't think it's hate. More like an awakening of the awareness that one big fish in the pond that eats all smaller fish may not really be beneficial for a healthy balance in the long run.
Statistics that say that 98% of the PC gamers use Steam are a bit misleading if you consider that plenty of games aren't sold elsewhere, or require Steam even if you do buy them elsewhere. What strategy fan, for example, didn't get Civ5? So they too count as a Steam user even if they bought it in a store. Once you start using Steam and have to run it (and thus get exposed to ads), it's not a big decision to keep using it for convenience. The more games you have on there, the more you use it and the more you get stuck. Vicious circle.
But that aside, personally, I do like the technical aspects of Steam, the convenience, and the community features. I'm not having trouble with either of those, and I'm fully aware of why Stardock utilizes them. It's a smart business decision and I have no doubts that Brad is perfectly aware of the dangers of quasi monopolies (he used to write about that until he realized that philosophies alone don't put food on the table; plus, plenty of people DO want a Steam version and wouldn't buy if there was none).
But I don't think that it's good that PC gaming depends on one distributor that slowly suffocates every alternative.
No, it's not hate for steam. I use steam and like it. It keeps a copy of my games for me so I can reinstall them when I care to. I also have a nice library of games that I haven't gotten around to playing yet on there. I know they're safe and sound when I eventually get to them.
Same with GOG. I have many more games there than I've ever downloaded, but they're in the library there.
There's nothing wrong with wanting a GOG version of the game. It doesn't preclude a steam version, it adds to it.
As Frogboy points out, that is not correct. Steamworks is built into the game and those functions are NOT available on GOG. It would not be the same game. However, that won't stop anyone from making non-Steam demands, both reasoned and ranting. It is an unwanted fact that seems all too easy to ignore.
I haven't seen such a post by Frogboy. All I've seen has been talk about the use of steam as a distribution platform. Can you provide a link to the post you're referring to?
Me too, I just registered and voted for it. However the Steam key will come handy as well, for Me.
You've probably found it already, but for everyone else, the post can be found here.
Thanks. I saw that post earlier, but there's no mention of steamworks functions built into the game that erischild is referring to. I was asking for a link to that post.
Here it is again for clarity...
Well, they want to use the Steam Workshop, which requires Steamworks, if I'm not mistaken. Probably the same with multiplayer too.
Note that Dragon Commander shows that you can have your cake (Steamworks) and eat it too (DRM free)
Well I was going to vote, but apparently my GOG account got eaten.
Its unfortunate that something bad happened to your account. I don't know what that was. Have you tried contacting tech support? They should be able to fix it.
I know, I got the GOG-version.
I suppose the only stickler is that if you're big on mods, its likely that most modders are going to stick with the Workshop rather than bother distributing to multiple places (and can you really blame em?). So you might be 'forced' to use Steam regardless.
Surprised? Why?
Many of us have families, and we cannot really justify buying 2-5 copies of every game to play with our kids. It makes no sense. Steam has no effective 'family sharing' which makes it the most UNFRIENDLY platform in existence for gaming.
We won't 'come around' eventually, as this hasn't changed in 10 years, and likely never will unless Steam changes policy and allows game sharing of the same game, within the same IP address with chosen accounts. Developers cannot really expect someone to buy 2-5 copies of a single game. It's not realistic.
Speaking of Dragon Commander, they provided me with the DRM free AND a Steam key, all for one price. Very good developer!
Steam is testing family sharing right now, actually. Course, it won't do what you want if what you want is multiplayer while only buying the game once.
I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest that if you want a DRM free version primarily so you can pirate it, you're not exactly helping the cause.
Yes, assuming that you don't mind losing the stuff Steamworks is providing. They didn't replace those features with anything, they just shut them off if Steam isn't available.
There's no free lunch.
Kobrano, you say it yourself, that developers cannot really expect someone to buy 2-5 copies of a single game. So it is NOT Steam's fault. On the other hand, I do understand your problem but that's the World We are living in, EVERYTHING coast money, so if someone need more copies, gotta pay more. Well, a bundle price would be great thou, for example similar way than MS does. Buying more copies get some discount, but don't ever expect the developers selling multiple copies for the price of one.
And please do try out that family sharing program the Steam is testing right now. I am also enjoying it.
You wanna play with your kids buy a copy for each of them
justify your "theft" how you want it but don't expect me to give you a pass
Note Family Sharing is not the same as "playing with your kids" only one copy is playable at a time
They're at 116 now on GOG. Multiply that by 1000 and it might be almost interesting.
It's not theft, plain and simply because a copy was purchased. What happens to it within my home is my business. It's actually possible to reverse engineer a product within your home, as long as it doesn't leave the home. Sort of like how its legal to have plans to make a bomb, but not legal to make one. Or level to have parts for an automatic weapon, but not assemble one.
Families need to be accounted for 'reasonably' within the spectrum of licenses, as nobody really buys multiple licenses of much of anything. For example I have a single Office 2010 license, spread on 7 computers/laptops in the home. It's really not logical to assume I would have spent $2500.00 on a license, yet their got their licensing fee - which is better than me actually pirating it to begin with.
We DO own several copies of Fallen EnchantressLE, only because we got the other licenses for about $8.00.. But we waited quite some time for the deep discounts before buying them. So we DO buy multiple copies at times, but generally wait for insane discount/promotions/coupons. I'd rather just buy them outright for full price, and have a 'family use' option.
Not having to deal with Steamworks and have their third party software running to play a game we bought and want to play.
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