You completely misinterpreted what I said.

There is a HUGE difference between having to install a proprietary client to download versus being able to directly download from a link using your web browser. Every "update" of a client runs the risk of the new version failing to work with your computer -- and your losing access to any new installations and reinstallations of your games. And who wants to have to install a different client for every website they buy from?


You said it wrong. It is not your choice whether to "activate DRM" or not. If the game has DRM, it will be there whether or not you activate your game. If a Steam game doesn't require activation, you won't have to activate it, but you will still require the Steam client to download.

I did a bit of research, and from what I've found out it looks as though while you can in fact back up your files, the games still need to be activated via Steam. So not really DRM free.

venus, right click your game, select properties, go to tab Local Files and click on a button "Browse Local Files". Windows explorer opens and you can simply copy the contents of this folder to any place you want or burn it to CD. This will of course work only for non-DRM games (J.U.L.I.A.: Among the Stars, Midnight Horror, Vampires: Guide them to Safety, etc. ).

Jenny100, the real reality is that I've lost so much more games from now defunct (so called DRM free) sites than from Steam. And I am not talking about small amount of games here. But why is GoG Galaxy (when GOG is by some considered to be good guys and Steam the bad guys) or Desura (which declared bankrupcy not so long ago) any different? They have their own clients and I don't think GoG will keep the direct downloads much longer as soon as Galaxy really picks up. It's extremely impractical from provider's point of view as every single connection error on your side results in gigabytes of data transferred on their side.

It's your choice whether to activate DRM or not. If the game on Steam has DRM, it will be listed on Steam store page and you can choose not to download it from there. If it's not listed, it means that either developers use their own form of DRM and didn't write it there (meaning they are cheating you) or it's DRM free.

I also want to note, that Steam is serving binary differential files so when your connection goes down during the download, you don't have to redownload gigabytes of data. That's why I see how the service provided greatly outweight the more philosophical approach to the whole concept.

I fully understand the fact that you don't want to download client for each service you use. But my point stays - digital rights management is a process going beyond the mere download. It's what iTunes or Amazon Kindle is doing - forcefully preventing you from copying or using the product in other way then you are allowed by the client. In case of DRM free games on Steam, you can do whatever you want with them and no single software is preventing you from doing so. Whether it's illegal is an entirely different discussion.

And I am extremely biased towards Steam from another purely selfish reason. In our world today, small developers like me, have over 95% income from Steam. If we didn't, we won't be here anymore. Of course this won't affect Bethesda or Ubisoft. But Steam is the only service which pays you monthly and delivers timely proper reports. With all respects to other publishers and their contracts, having to wait 6 months to see the first cent from your game is not what we can afford. If Steam didn't kick in at the end of October 2014, there wouldn't be any new game from us and most probably you will see Midnight Horror much later. So yes - I don't want to speak badly about the only service on this planet which literally saved my behind.

And our own little outlets are now destroyed by VatMoss (for the reasons I stated before), which is now also slowly creeping to Australia and Japan as well, and it's just a question of time when it will be a worldwide phenomenon. Maybe when this agenda will be taken by payment processors (Paypal eg. - which again is considered to be evil by some), our store with direct links may return back!

It's nothing easier then try it yourself. When you get one of the games I mentioned in my last reply, copy the folder contents on USB flash drive and run it in another computer. You will see, that no activation was needed.

I don't know about Midnight Horror specifically, and I believe most Steam games will need to be activated through the client.

However I remember reading about a game advertised by Steam as "DRM-free" over at Adventuregamers. One AG member said he downloaded the game using the client, copied the files to another computer that wasn't connected to the Internet, installed the game, and it played fine. So that seems to be what Steam considers "DRM-free" and it's what I was referring to when I said "Steam likes to call some of their games "DRM-free" when the games don't require activation after downloading." It's a separate thing from "no 3rd party DRM."

However even the "DRM-free" Steam games will still need the Steam client installed on some computer to download the game in the first place.

Yup, you need Steam downloader to get the contents. The contents is then yours (in case of truly DRM free files). Similar service is provided by eMusic, where you have to use their downloader, but the resulting mp3's can be used any way you like. In case of eMusic however everyone praise the service and curses iTunes.

I use GOG a lot (have done for years) and I don't need to "do" anything other than ....

(1) Log-in.

(2) Download anything I might buy just using my normal browser (no "client" required - although an "optional" one has recently become available).

(3) If I so desire, I then burn the downloaded files to disk so as to make a back up copy before I actually install any of them.

Quick and simple. Exactly how I like it.

Plus, of equal importance, their customer support is both easy to access and top notch.

Can we please get back on track to using this thread for discussion of Midnight Horror. Thanks.

does this game have a walkthrough to help you out,if needed.thanks

Thanks for the information metamorphium and Jenny. How do I copy the files? Right click the game in the Steam library and select Back Up Game Files? I don't see any folders for my Steam games stored on my computer, only the game saves.

Sorry for the thread derail, Ana. Back on topic, Midnight Horror is great so far. I love being back in Saxton with the familiar characters. Mr. Tibbs is a particular favorite. Looking forward to Blackenrock in a month or so.

EDIT: Abby, there is no walkthrough that I know of so far, but there may be some help here if you're stuck - http://steamcommunity.com/app/291770/discussions/0/. Also, I'm sure there will be some videos up at some point.

EDIT 2: Okay, I tried it out, and it looks as though selecting Back Up Game Files is what I have to do. I should really try things out before asking. Thanks again for your help, metamorphium and Jenny.

abby,

Jonathan has a walkthrough out on all of his previous games. Let's wait for his announcement.

I just finished it. Loved it and can't wait for more.

My apologies, BrownEyedTigre. I ought to know better !!

I would like to jump in here. On the non DRM games from steam you can also use a program like Setup factory or something similar to create your own game installer I've used setup factory for a few Non DRM steam games and it works great!

What aspect ratio and resolution is this game? It looks like 4:3 aspect ratio, but who owns a 4:3 monitor nowadays?

to GameBoomers Solebra.



They did choose a different resolution for this game, it's because it is in HD. I have no trouble playing on either of my widescreen monitors, and most seem to be unaffected. Sorry that not everyone can enjoy it though. This was a quick project for them and a great surprise so I'm thankful for whatever they can do.

Ana

Unfortunately my laptop only has a resolution of 1600x900, so I was unable to play it. Then I remembered. I had a widescreen lcd monitor in my spare room that I havent used in a while. I plugged it in, but it still wouldnt play on this monitor either. So, I went in and changed the setting for the monitor from "cloned" to "extended". Works like a charm now and Im meeting all the old characters again. Great

We'll go through a lot to get a game running properly, won't we, Count Zero?

What a bizarre and ridiculous requirement! Really? Hard coding the screen height? I don't think I've ever seen that as a requirement for a game before and to be frank I hope I never see it again. Real schoolboy error stuff, and yes, I am a bit narked.

What's more bizarre is that they assume watching widescreen movies is the only use of laptops and put such short, squinty screens on all of them. 16:9 is a miserable aspect ratio. Just try to find a 4:3 or 5:4 laptop for work.

Perhaps a lower resolution version of the game will eventually come available for laptops. The latest Carol Reed had both a high (1920x1080 or higher) and a low resolution version.

I went to the Steam page for this and there's no BUY option or Add to Cart option at all?
caz

Seems to have been temporary.
It's back up now.
http://store.steampowered.com/app/291770

this was a shocker...I had no idea Jonathan was putting this game out. Wonderful surprise! Great game; fun thus far. I replayed TLC too many times to count waiting for the sequel.
Jonathan...if you're reading this: "THANK YOU!"
And...cant wait for Blackenrock!

Thanks for the welcome Ana.

Well i'm a bit of a technical nerd, but this game looks quite good to me.
Looking forward to Blackenrock after this little taste.

I never get stuff from Steam in my mailbox. My membership just sits there till I want to use it. I had misgivings at first but tried it when the Steam version of TLC came out for cheap and love it. I had to change download sites bc it is slow in Phoenix but other than that, no problems and no complaints. I am also basically an old school crank, by way of my credentials for comments on this.
-------------


http://www.darklingroom.co.uk/thelastcrown/MidnightHorrorWalkthrough.pdf
------------------
Someone mentioned at least one update to the game directly applied with Steam and someone noted that there had been on reported glitch fixed. Have the been any others? I played the game over several days and seemed to notice small differences here and there.
-----------------
I have played this game twice and still miss a non-essential section, as follows:



TIA

troi