any downsides to Gog.com?

HeXen

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 2009
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I was considering getting the witcher 2 on GOG.com simply because its the only one that is DRM free.
Are there any downsides to me doing this?
What if i lose my download?
Are all GOG games DRM free??

So i take it that basically once installed, i probably enter a serial code and that is that? I wanted to make sure i understand how GOG works before i try it...normally i'm a physical disc sort of guy, never liked steam cause i dislike clients and how the interface is....but if i can just get the game individually like this, i may do so from now on if theres no other cons.
 

KaOTiK

Lifer
Feb 5, 2001
10,877
8
81
With the latest patch, TW2 has no more drm I believe.

As for your questions.

All GoG games are DRM free. When you download the game you download it as an installer that you can burn to a disc after downloading so you don't have to worry about it anymore.

GoG is great overall imo.
 

HeXen

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 2009
7,832
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So even if i buy the retail disc and get the latest patch, it will be DRM free anyway?
Just realized though that gog is mostly older games. TW2 being the only new one. Wish they had a complete new game selection
 

KaOTiK

Lifer
Feb 5, 2001
10,877
8
81
So even if i buy the retail disc and get the latest patch, it will be DRM free anyway?
Just realized though that gog is mostly older games. TW2 being the only new one. Wish they had a complete new game selection

Yeah, the latest patch removes the DRM, doesn't matter where you get it from, GoG was the only place to get it DRM free at launch though.

Of course it is older games, hence the name "Good Old Games"

The only reason they are selling TW2 is because they are owned by CDP.
 

HeXen

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 2009
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thanks. Are there any other good digital game services besides steam?
 

KaOTiK

Lifer
Feb 5, 2001
10,877
8
81
I've heard good things about Amazons.

Otherwise there are a few out there but I dunno how good they are or if they are changing.

The two I never used before are GamersGate and GreenManGaming.

Direct2Drive is ok, but they just got bought out by Gamefly so no clue what will if anything will change.

Impulse was decent, but they were bought out by Gamestop and I wouldn't recommend them simply due to that.

Steam really is the best one out there though.
 

AyashiKaibutsu

Diamond Member
Jan 24, 2004
9,306
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I buy Paradox games from gamer's gate; you'll generally get patches for their games much faster through their website than if you go through steam. They're pretty good, but I prefer steam for any other companies games. I won't touch D2D unless the game will link into another distributer (steamworks games); if you ever have issues with them, you'll regret buying from them.
 
Dec 28, 2001
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With the latest patch, TW2 has no more drm I believe.

As for your questions.

All GoG games are DRM free. When you download the game you download it as an installer that you can burn to a disc after downloading so you don't have to worry about it anymore.

GoG is great overall imo.


This
 
Aug 11, 2008
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I buy Paradox games from gamer's gate; you'll generally get patches for their games much faster through their website than if you go through steam. They're pretty good, but I prefer steam for any other companies games. I won't touch D2D unless the game will link into another distributer (steamworks games); if you ever have issues with them, you'll regret buying from them.

I have bought several games through Direct2Drive and have never had any kind of problem. What I like about Direct2Drive is that once you download the game you never have to connect to the service again. It is like you installed a retail copy of the game.

I am not as sanguine about steam as most of the posters here. I have had connectivity issues with them and was very unhappy with their technical support. I also hate it when retail copies of games that you buy on disk sometimes require steam to play the game.
 

AyashiKaibutsu

Diamond Member
Jan 24, 2004
9,306
3
81
I have bought several games through Direct2Drive and have never had any kind of problem. What I like about Direct2Drive is that once you download the game you never have to connect to the service again. It is like you installed a retail copy of the game.

I am not as sanguine about steam as most of the posters here. I have had connectivity issues with them and was very unhappy with their technical support. I also hate it when retail copies of games that you buy on disk sometimes require steam to play the game.

Gamer's Gate and GoG never require you to connect either. Last I used impulse, it didn't either although I haven't bought anything from them in a long time. I've had an overall much better experience buying from them, which I understand not everyones had issues with D2D. I just had enough problems with them to never consider them again.
 

Via

Diamond Member
Jan 14, 2009
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I haven't had an issue with D2D games until now - for some reason a couple of days ago it started asking for the activation code for all of the D2D games that I have installed (mostly TDU, Max Payne, Tropico 3) every time I start them.

It's a little unnerving, but I'm assuming for now that one of my anti-malware programs must have remove or damaged some kind of required D2D file.
 

Zenoth

Diamond Member
Jan 29, 2005
5,198
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There's no down sides to GoG.com. I bought 14 games there so far and never experienced a single problem.
 
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zoic

Member
Nov 10, 2009
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There is one downside to GoG and Gamersgate... they take all your monies :$

Such great offers on both usually, can't resist buying :oops:
 

DarkForceRising

Senior member
Apr 16, 2005
407
0
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Gamersgate is pretty excellent. No client that you need running, and they give you what amounts to cashback on purchases (applicable to future purchases).

They are also the place that I recall having a guarantee that if you ever run out of installs on a game, contact them and they'll fix it even if the publisher/dev won't.

Sales aren't as good as steam though.
 

BababooeyHTJ

Senior member
Nov 25, 2009
283
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I've heard good things about Amazons.

Otherwise there are a few out there but I dunno how good they are or if they are changing.

The two I never used before are GamersGate and GreenManGaming.

Direct2Drive is ok, but they just got bought out by Gamefly so no clue what will if anything will change.

Impulse was decent, but they were bought out by Gamestop and I wouldn't recommend them simply due to that.

Steam really is the best one out there though.

I didn't know about D2D being bought out. I guess that I'm going to have to strike them off the list too. That sucks I really did kind of like D2D.
 

gorcorps

aka Brandon
Jul 18, 2004
30,739
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I didn't know about D2D being bought out. I guess that I'm going to have to strike them off the list too. That sucks I really did kind of like D2D.

Why strike them off a list before you see what (if anything) changes? That's just childish.
 

BababooeyHTJ

Senior member
Nov 25, 2009
283
0
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Why strike them off a list before you see what (if anything) changes? That's just childish.

Why would I buy from a company that I've never dealt with before without waiting to see how plan on operating? It's just being smart with my money. Amazon is usually cheaper anyways and that is a company that I know for a fact isn't going anywhere any time soon.
 

LucJoe

Golden Member
Jan 19, 2001
1,295
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Does GOG let you re-download games any time you want through a steam-like app?

Of course...

2. Can I re-download my purchased games? Is there a limit to the number of re-downloads?
You can always re-download games bought at GOG.com via the “My account” page. Also, there is no limit to the number of redownloads, but please remember that you're not allowed to share your GOG.com account with other users as only you are entitled to download games from your account.

The download seems to have 2 options.

1) No downloader but you have to download smaller "chunks" of the file. The Witcher Enhanced Edition looks like it comes in 6 separate downloads.

2) GOG downloader. I used this one, worked great. Lightweight little app with a slick interface.
 

Cerb

Elite Member
Aug 26, 2000
17,484
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Does GOG let you re-download games any time you want through a steam-like app?
You definitely can re-download, but I wouldn't be surprised if they have some kind of checks for changing IP ranges or some such, to detect people trying to abuse it.

I haven't tried the downloader. It is only necessary if you don't trust your internet connection to successfully transfer 2GB files w/o errors over HTTP.

There is one downside to GoG and Gamersgate... they take all your monies :$

Such great offers on both usually, can't resist buying :oops:
Seeing the Lucas and MS logos under GOG's current suspenseful marketing effort is making me think I'm about to have a much lighter wallet.
 

HeXen

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 2009
7,832
37
91
Steam wouldnt bother me so bad if the interface was more customizable and didnt always have to access it through the notifications area. I just want to launch it like any other app and have it exit. Add non steam games that show better icons.
yeah its kinda picky, but if i can't open an interesting interface i'd rather just click the game and go without any other crap running.

What i always wanted though was a game launcher app that looked and worked similar to the XMB on PS3 or something for that kinda seamless console like experience, showing various information and stats, manuals, guides, integrate emulators. maybe option to scroll with a gamepad or even launch the interface using a button combo.

Overall i'm trying to break the old habit of buying physical disks, running out of places to put them. armoir is packed plum full of box games