Are GOG doing the "Lets create a monopoly" thing?

Gimpymoo · 21 Mar 2016 at 15:29

Once upon a time, DRM free downloads could be had from outside of GOG at times.

Nowadays, if a game is on GOG, the DRM Free version seems exclusive to them.

Would I be wrong in thinking foul play/bullyboy tactics?

GOG were, once upon a time a solution to a problem but nowadays I see them as being as much a part of the problem, as are Valve with Steam.

FrenchTart · 21 Mar 2016 at 15:32

I don't think the instant a company becomes popular/mainstream it's really fair to assume that they're corporate giants ruling the world with an iron first.

Ayahuasca · 21 Mar 2016 at 15:35

Just another business at the end of the day, you need ways to attract customers.

cheesyboy · 21 Mar 2016 at 15:48

I dunno - there's loads of crossover with GoG and Humble's DRM-free games.

Undertale, FTL, Outlast, Fez, Hunnipop, Risk of Rain....

E:
Even Steam has a lot of GoG's games which run DRM-free.
http://pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/The_Big_List_of_DRM-Free_Games_on_Steam (incomplete list)

neoboy · 21 Mar 2016 at 16:15

There were hardly many successfull and big DRM free e-retailers before so it's not unreasonable that many of those games now end up in a place that made it their mission to be the biggest player in that field. Smaller developers tend to sell DRM free copies directly but I can't imagine it's a huge seller for most of them so they gain sales from likes of GoG and Humble Shop also.

Until I see a bit more compelling evidence that anything is going on I can't say that I'm convinced that there are any bully tactics going on, merely a company who are powerful in the DRM free market like Steam was in digital distribution in the early days. We do, however, know about GoG withholding Steam keys from Green Man Gaming in the past with Witcher 3 in that whole grey key fiasco so know they don't play fair with Steam platform

Gimpymoo · 21 Mar 2016 at 17:59

FrenchTart said:
I don't think the instant a company becomes popular/mainstream it's really fair to assume that they're corporate giants ruling the world with an iron first.

I am not saying they are.

What I am saying though is that the big indie releases as of late have no DRM Free versions on Humble Store for example, just GOG.

Devs who are socially active, ignore any questions about such matters. The conspiracy theorist inside me believes this is more a contractual matter with GOG.

Also, not sure if broken, but my sarcasm radar was twitching then a little ?

Antony101 · 21 Mar 2016 at 18:43

Gimpymoo said:
I am not saying they are.

What I am saying though is that the big indie releases as of late have no DRM Free versions on Humble Store for example, just GOG.

Devs who are socially active, ignore any questions about such matters. The conspiracy theorist inside me believes this is more a contractual matter with GOG.

Also, not sure if broken, but my sarcasm radar was twitching then a little ?

Maybe GoG just offers the best deal to developers? Maybe GoG are seen by developers as the all round best option. Maybe developers don't want their game on 20 different platforms so just stick to Steam and GoG.

Maybe hundreds of other reasons that absolutely nobody but the developers and GoG could answer anyway.