this post was submitted on 11 Oct 2024
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Steam's new disclaimer reminds everyone that you don't actually own your games, GOG moves in for the killshot: Its offline installers 'cannot be taken away from you' (www.pcgamer.com)
submitted 1 month ago by ooli@lemmy.world to c/games@lemmy.world
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[–] DiabolicalBird@lemmy.ca 43 points 1 month ago (1 children)

This has literally always been the case with Steam, the only difference is that people are told up front now. Things will likely continue to operate exactly the same as it has until now, I doubt Valve wants to disrupt the giant money train they have.

[–] lud@lemm.ee 4 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I would be surprised if it even was possible for them to change so that the games are bought. I suspect that would be quite complicated legally.

[–] CaptnNMorgan@lemmy.world -4 points 1 month ago (1 children)

It's literally in the title that GOG does exactly that. Why would Steam's hands be legally tied if GOG's aren't?

[–] lud@lemm.ee 11 points 1 month ago (2 children)

No, that isn't what GOG is doing.

GOG is still only licencing games to you. They do offer you the opportunity to download an offline installer though.

[–] kshade@lemmy.world 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

As far as I know there is no mandatory DRM on Steam either, so if a publisher wants to they can just make their game be portable and not require Steam to even be installed. Pretty sure all the re-releases that use DOSBox or ScummVM are like this, for example.

[–] lud@lemm.ee 2 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

Yeah there are loads of DRM free games on steam (mostly indies of course). Steam just offers a very basic (and easily bypassable if you know how) DRM to devs/publishers but they absolutely don't need to use it.

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

How is having an offline installer that can't be taken away, not the same thing as owning?

[–] lud@lemm.ee 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Because you are still only licensed the game

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

So, "licensed" is a legal term. Explain to me how being able to keep something forever, isn't the same as owning?

[–] lud@lemm.ee 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I'm speaking in a legal sense. Please reread my original comment.

[–] CaptnNMorgan@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago

But why couldn't Steam "legally" offer offline installers the way gog does?