Steam itself can be DRM but isn't always. I would use GOG Galaxy if I could, but they don't let me. What bums me out is that it's required for multiplayer functionality in some cases, and I can no longer just assume that the entire library of GOG fits my values the way that it used to. A lot of this information I'm looking for is often not clearly communicated on store pages and requires lots of extra research.

[–] naticus@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I don't know of an instance where it's not used as DRM. Maybe on F2P games since there's no license management? Would be interested in knowing where you've found it isn't used. And yes, more clarity on what is happening under the hood would always be welcomed by me. I do feel I have a decent grasp of things just because of my IT background and work with cyber security, but closed source software will always have its secrets.

Also, definitely like the play on words with your username lol. I have a domain that is a pun on my last name, so I always like seeing creative ways people use their own names.

[–] ampersandrew@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago

https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/The_big_list_of_DRM-free_games_on_Steam

It's not exactly an advertised feature when a game is DRM free on Steam, so this list may not be comprehensive or accurate for every game. DRM is optional on Steam. You can copy these game directories out of Steam and run them on a totally separate computer with Steam not even installed, and they'll still work.

And I'd have just made my username &rew if they let me, but this is the one I use when that one is taken or they have limitations on special characters. With the special character, it has the benefit of fitting in old-school four character clan tags as well as Smash Melee names (and I don't like going by Drew).