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General discussionIntroducing: GOG Galaxy, the DRM-Free online gaming platform(35 posts)(35 posts)
(35 posts)
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Posted June 06, 2014
Freedom of choice. Optional client. Cross-play. Coming soon to all gamers!

Earlier today (or was it yesterday for you?), during the [url=http://www.gog.com/news/cd_projekt_red_gogcom_summer_conference]CD Projekt RED and GOG.com’s Summer Conference we dropped the news about our next big step forward! GOG.com has always been home to more and more of the the best games in history (for Windows and Mac), both classic and new. Differing in shapes, flavors, and sizes they had one thing in common: they were mostly single-player, and our focus was mainly on the experience of a singular gamer. If that's your thing, nothing really will change. You can always enjoy your favorite games 100% DRM-free on GOG.com, with no need to activate your game online or remain connected to play your single-player title. Just like GOG.com has always been about.. But what if you want to play with your friends?

Today we are excited to announce GOG Galaxy, a truly gamer-friendly, 100% DRM-free online gaming platform that will finally provide the GOG.com community with the easy option to play together online. GOG Galaxy will allow you to share your achievements, stay in touch with your pals and get the updates for your games automatically. We've developed this technology to improve your GOG.com experience. We think GOG Galaxy really deserves your attention and we hope many of you will give it a try! But, here's the great thing: it is totally optional, so it's all up to you! If you do not want to play online, or use our optional client to access these features, then no worries, you will always be able to play the single-player mode 100% DRM-free, and download manually the latest updated version of your favorite title from our website. Now, for one more feature we call cross-play. We always believed in an open world for gamers, with no obligation to be tied to a specific platform or client; and this is why GOG Galaxy will allow gamers to play with their buddies who use Steam, without any need to use any 3rd party client or account, nothing, nada. We’re taking care of connecting GOG.com and Steam players, so just sit back, relax and give it a try.

See the outtake from the CD Projekt RED & GOG.com Summer Conference

Talking of which, we are proud to announce the soon-to-come launch of the beta phase for The Witcher Adventure Game, a faithful adaptation of the board game of the same title. It allows up to 4 players to play together, whether they use Steam or GOG.com. Cross-play at its finest! If you wanna get the chance to try it out, please visit and sign up to get in the queue for your beta access key. You can also simply take advantage of our amazing [url=http://www.gog.com/tw3]pre-order offer for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, which includes 2 beta access keys for he Witcher Aventure Game, delivered to you as soon as we start handing them out to public.

We believe GOG Galaxy has the power to provide the best of both worlds. Playing the single player mode of your favorite game, 100% DRM-free, while still having the OPTION to use our soon-to-come client for an enhanced experience (auto-patching, achievements, and much more) or play online with other GOG.com (and Steam) players if you so wish.

There will be more GOG Galaxy titles coming up this year, so stay tuned for more news and get the word around!
Post edited June 06, 2014 by G-Doc
Posted June 06, 2014
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JudasIscariot: Yes as you can't test out the new features without a game and it's nice to be able to do both at the same time :)
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Kristian: But can't it be used in place of the downloader right now?
It's still being developed so as of right now, no :(
Posted June 06, 2014
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JudasIscariot: It's still being developed so as of right now, no :(
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Kristian: I am not sure we are talking about the same thing. Are you saying that currently it doesn't support downloading GOG games? I wasn't under the impression that it was ready to completely replace the GOG downloader RIGHT now. But I would be interested in beta testing its downloading features right this moment if possible.
It's not ready right now BUT you can sign up for a beta test of the GOG Galaxy client here:

http://www.gog.com/galaxy?par=1
Posted June 06, 2014
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amok: It was a load of PR speak without substance and even factual wrong information. You do not own your games, you own a license to play them. Freedom of choice is not something "we call" as a new invention, it is something it is. "We give you freedom of choice" for example, is much better. "We call this FREEDOM OF CHOICE" almost implies that this is a gOg invention. and the share audacity to announce an optional client and then say "We call it the OPTIONAL CLIENT". It is like a bad comedy film. "I have made an mechanical horse... I call it the MECHANICAL HORSE"... and it is also not a gOg invention, Desura, for example, have had an optional client for years.
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npalsensei: All I see is

1) they're making a client that, unlike steam, will be optional to use and still DRM-Free. That sounds like taking Steam and tearing all DRM free out of it, which would be epic. I'm now using GOG Downloader for my downloads and updates, it's always on but it's very basic so a better client is welcome.
2) You can still download games and updates the old way, aka freedom of choice. You don't like the client, you don't use the client, you still get to play games, unlike Steam and Origin that CAN lock you out pretty easily. My net was down for a month, guess what games I could play. GOG games I already had installed beforehand. Origin? Nope. Steam? Nope.
3) Client will support multiplayer and online features like achievements and stuff, for games that support it. Still optional though if you want to play offline, you won't get locked out of the game from what they're saying. There's also talk about cross-platform communication, I'd love to see that happen.
4) I don't know about Desura, don't really care either, but if they had something like that, all the more credit to them for being the first I suppose? Nice to see GOG follow them I suppose? Or something? How's that bad?
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JudasIscariot: It's not ready right now BUT you can sign up for a beta test of the GOG Galaxy client here:

http://www.gog.com/galaxy?par=1
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npalsensei: Do I need to sign up if I have preordered Witcher 3 or will the beta keys that will be delivered eventually be enough?
I think if you pre-ordered TW3 then the beta access keys are all you need and yes, they should be delivered eventually so keep an eye on your inbox and your spambox in case our emails are considered spam :)
Posted June 06, 2014
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JudasIscariot: I think if you pre-ordered TW3 then the beta access keys are all you need and yes, they should be delivered eventually so keep an eye on your inbox and your spambox in case our emails are considered spam :)
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bell02: sorry for the randome quote ..

but i want to know if i'm able to add non-goggames to the libary of gog galaxy, for example snes games (bat to exe files i made to launch within steam) ..i know, eventually i will not use all features with these kind of games ( why should i even try to autoupdate an snes game :S ) but what is with all the other features?... what social features does it have? screenshots, community hub's?
I don't know about adding non-GOG games to the client. I would recommend signing up for the beta and giving feedback about the features you like or don't like :)

As for the community features, that depends, somewhat, on what the community would like to see while testing the beta :)
Posted June 06, 2014
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JudasIscariot: I don't know about adding non-GOG games to the client. I would recommend signing up for the beta and giving feedback about the features you like or don't like :)

As for the community features, that depends, somewhat, on what the community would like to see while testing the beta :)
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Pheace: So, as far as you're aware the client won't take or is not intended to take games not available on GOG?
I don't know the entire feature list at this time but I am sure we'll have more information soon as the client gets closer to a public release.
Posted June 06, 2014
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JudasIscariot: It's still being developed so as of right now, no :(
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saiyan: How about including a downloader function in the client?

Here my thoughts on how I would like this Galaxy client to do..

1) First of all, allow users to specify a directory specifically for downloading and storing game installation files.
Any game patch files should also be downloaded to the same location and organized using sub-directories.

2) When a user clicks on a game title to download or install the game, prompt the user the following choices:

a) Download and Install the game
b) Download installation files only

If the user choose to download and install the game, the client can go ahead and download installation files mentioned in (1) and proceed to install the game. After the game is installed, prompt the user if installation files can be deleted.

If the user choose to download installation files only, just download files but do not install the game.
The user should be able to install the game later without the need to re-download installation files.

If patches become available for any installed games or games which have installation files downloaded, display some kind of icon cue (e.g. update available) next to the game title.

If the user choose to "update" a game title, proceed to download and install the update for existing installed game or stored the patch installation files in the download directory so they would be available later if when the user choose to install the game plus patches.

I imagine games and patches downloaded will be stored in some directory structures like the followings:

C:\GOG\Download\Witcher 3\Bonus
C:\GOG\Download\Witcher 3\Main Install V1.00
C:\GOG\Download\Witcher 3\Patch V1.01
C:\GOG\Download\Witcher 3\Patch V1.02
C:\GOG\Download\Witcher 3\Patch V2.00

If later a new version of installation files become available and can replace all prior installation files and incremental patches, the user should be able to download a new set of installation files and delete prior installation files

So later you will end up with the followings:

C:\GOG\Download\Witcher 3\Bonus
C:\GOG\Download\Witcher 3\Main Install V3.00
C:\GOG\Download\Witcher 3\Patch V3.01

The reason I would like to see installation and patch files stored this way is so that we can later choose to install the game and patches manually if we decide not to use Galaxy client. (I assume you will allow users to run installation files and patches manually without requiring the Galaxy client).

Finally, please provide bandwidth control so users can specify the appropriate download bandwidth for their Internet connection.
Your best bet would be to sign up for the beta and give feedback while testing the Galaxy client :) Would you like me to post a link to the beta? I have posted it in this thread a couple of times but I can post it again if you'd like it :)
Posted June 06, 2014
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Thegevin: I would like to know if Origin and Uplay multiplayer will also work through Galaxy.
Also, I'm very interested in learning more about GOG integrating Achievements into games. Will old games be updated to include them? Will I be able to acquire achievements ONLY when online?
I'm very excited about this. I'd also love an estimated arrival date for the service!
Regarding Origin/Uplay, Galaxy will allow you to play with your friends who have games on those services so if you buy a GIG version and they have a different one, your GOG version will be able to play with an Origin/Steam/Uplay version :)

As far as achievements go, I still don't have all the information regarding them, I recommend a wait-and-see approach or signing up for the beta :)
Posted June 06, 2014
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JudasIscariot: Regarding Origin/Uplay, Galaxy will allow you to play with your friends who have games on those services so if you buy a GIG version and they have a different one, your GOG version will be able to play with an Origin/Steam/Uplay version :)

As far as achievements go, I still don't have all the information regarding them, I recommend a wait-and-see approach or signing up for the beta :)
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Pheace: You're still not making it very clear I think but from the sound of it, as long as it uses Galaxy Matchmaking, you can cross-play between different services, no matter where you bought it.

So basically like a game that uses Steamworks can be played together even if you buy the game on Gamersgate. Or a GFWL game could be played if two people bought it on different services.

That part makes sense. It's a new matchmaking service, obviously people who buy a game that uses that service will be able to play with eachother.

What about the people who are playing a non-Galaxy matchmaking game?
I'll make it as clear as I possibly can, then :)

GOG Galaxy will allow you to play the online portions of a GOG game with other players no matter which service they bought the game.

Let me know if I am still not making myself clear and I'll ry again :)
Posted June 06, 2014
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JudasIscariot: I'll make it as clear as I possibly can, then :)

GOG Galaxy will allow you to play the online portions of a GOG game with other players no matter which service they bought the game.

Let me know if I am still not making myself clear and I'll ry again :)
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Pheace: What's a GOG game in this definition? Any game on GOG? Or a game designed around Galaxy?
Any game on GOG :)
Posted June 06, 2014
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JudasIscariot: GOG Galaxy will allow you to play the online portions of a GOG game with other players no matter which service they bought the game.
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pbnjoe: What I'm wanting to know is *how*, if no deals were struck :)

"Ah, the game has Steamworks for multiplayer? No problem, you've got Galaxy! All restrictions are bypassed." Just seems too good to be true.
As far as I know, magic. Sorry but I am not a dev so I don't know how :)
Posted June 06, 2014
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pbnjoe: What I'm wanting to know is *how*, if no deals were struck :)

"Ah, the game has Steamworks for multiplayer? No problem, you've got Galaxy! All restrictions are bypassed." Just seems too good to be true.
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Pheace: How many Steamworks games have a DRM-free client though? Isn't Divinity Dragon Commander one of the only ones? None of the other Steamworks games would even qualify as GOG games I think as they wouldn't be sold here.
Dragon Commander has the direct IP multiplayer option that's DRM free without Steamworks. I personally hope we can get Dragon Commander to have the full gamut of multiplayer options available just like they are elsewhere but DRM free :)
Posted June 06, 2014
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Diversion: What about older games that from the beginning allowed you to host games either on the net or on LAN, will they be changed to work only on Galaxy (the multiplayer part that is)? Will this option remain?
We have some ideas on the older games but we're still working on getting everything sorted :) I personally hope we can have Galaxy facilitate the multiplayer options on older games so that you can just click and play them just like in the old days :)
Posted June 06, 2014
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JudasIscariot: Any game on GOG :)
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VanishedOne: According to http://www.gog.com/forum/general/more_details_about_galaxy_please/post76/?staff=yes

Games need to support our service like The Witcher Adventure Game.
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VanishedOne: So... does all that mean any game on GOG can use Galaxy for its multiplayer functions, but only games designed around Galaxy, like TWAG, can use its full functionality? Or something else?
We will be adding the ability to use Galaxy to any game that will work with Galaxy but this will take time. Basically, we will be updating the installers to have Galaxy functions while remaining standalone i.e. you can run them just as you used to before Galaxy :)
Posted June 06, 2014
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Thegevin: Also, will GOG be slimming down potential games to sell based on whether or not the games can be configured to work within Galaxy's online play model?
Or will Galaxy take care of such loose ends and make "any game" work within the Galaxy "play with anyone" model?
I don't see us slimming down our options, I see Galaxy as something that will expand our scope now that we'll be able to offer multiplayer across services while remaining DRM free :)

We'll do what we can to make "any game" work but it depends on the game, as always :)
Posted June 06, 2014
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saiyan: How about including a downloader function in the client?
...
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Rinu: Well said. +1
As I said earlier, I think there will be settings that will allow you to customize Galaxy to your liking :)
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This is my favourite topic
Community
General discussionIntroducing: GOG Galaxy, the DRM-Free online gaming platform(35 posts)(35 posts)
(35 posts)