It seems that you're using an outdated browser. Some things may not work as they should (or don't work at all).
We suggest you upgrade newer and better browser like: Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer or Opera

×
Community
General discussion (archive)The Witcher 2 GoG version(393 posts)(393 posts)
(393 posts)
Pages:
1
5
10
15
18
19
20
21
22
27
This is my favourite topic
Posted May 06, 2011
avatar
Kabuto: What say you xyem? (please don't take that as a shot, I'm merely asking you)
We only disagreed on something, I don't remember any shots being taken! :)

GOG providing an updated installer means I am not longer at the "mercy" of CDP for update functionality, so it's not DRM anymore (it's just a faster way of getting updates).
Posted May 06, 2011
avatar
Miaghstir: If they're not stand-alone updaters, it's (to me) good enough if I can drop them in a folder where the updater looks, and it'll realise "hey, all these updates are stored locally, so I'll just use them rather than try connecting to CDP's servers".
avatar
TheEnigmaticT: I have no idea if that will work. Dang. I guess I'll have to ask them on Monday if that's possible.
NWN2's patches worked like that. Of course, they were provided as standalones as well...
Posted May 06, 2011
avatar
TheEnigmaticT: "Any technology used to limit the use of software, music, movies, or other digital data."
"The online serial check (technology) limits the use of (some functionality in) the launcher (software) and patches (digital data) to verifiable installations"

It met your definition of DRM perfectly. You could not, in good conscience, claim it was DRM free.. your version still included the client side code of the technology.

EDIT: This was if the launcher provides no way of backing up/restoring the patches anyway.
Post edited May 06, 2011 by xyem
Posted May 06, 2011
avatar
TheEnigmaticT: -Snip-
Thank you very much for those answers. Being able to get straight answers to these kinds of questions is very much appreciated, and certainly helps allay many of the worries that are associated with new releases from most other companies.
Posted May 07, 2011
avatar
Scorpionscythe: Are the patches themselves delivered DRM free?
Yes. The patch doesn't check, once you've downloaded it through the launcher, back on the servers, whether it's on the same computer it was before, or any other form of controlling how you want to use it.
avatar
Snickersnack: Is using Merriam-Webster to define technical jargon a good idea? ;)
My copy of the OED is sadly in the States. It's also too old to have "DRM" defined, I'm pretty sure.
avatar
TheEnigmaticT: "Any technology used to limit the use of software, music, movies, or other digital data."
avatar
xyem: "The online serial check (technology) limits the use of (some functionality in) the launcher (software) and patches (digital data) to verifiable installations"
The online serial check for patching verifies if the game is a legit copy before you download the files from us. If you procure the patch from some other method (which, yeah, I'm sure will show up on the net about two minutes after we push our first patch live), there's no checks anywhere in the files to control how they're used. As I understand it, that's content delivery, not DRM.

Though I know some folks (like you, likely) won't agree with me on that.
Post edited May 07, 2011 by TheEnigmaticT
Posted May 07, 2011
avatar
TheEnigmaticT: As I understand it, that's content delivery, not DRM.

Though I know some folks (like you, likely) won't agree with me on that.
It depends how it works. If there is an actual separation between download and application of the patches, it's not DRM because you can re-use the download as many times as you like.

If the updater downloads, applies and then removes the downloaded files, it's not just delivering the content to you (which you can then Do What You Want with e.g. back up), it's (trying to) control its use. That, with having been the only way of patching, is what makes it DRM.

And seeing as CDP have explicitly said they want it to be the only way to patch, downloading third party generated patches could be (I'm not a lawyer, but it follows logically) as copyright infringing as downloading the entire game. At the very least, there would have been a violation of the distribution license by the uploader. Eep!

EDIT: By the way, I do appreciate you getting all those answers and the GOG provided update is sufficient for the updater to lose its DRM status (by my logic anyway :])
Post edited May 07, 2011 by xyem
Posted May 07, 2011
Thanks for all the quick replies. I can live with a download patcher if it means I can back up the files after install. Especially if the GOG installer will be updated at some point in the future as well. I am back on board with my pre-order.
Post edited May 07, 2011 by Scorpionscythe
Posted May 07, 2011
avatar
TheEnigmaticT: We will, once the game has matured some and is not being updated frequently, make a new master build on GOG.com which will, of course, require no serial key or activation to install or play. How long will that be? I don't know.
Let me have a guess: this will happen the day "The Witcher 2 - Enhanced Edition" will get a DRM free retail distribution. At that point, there won't be any DRM in any version, so GOG's pseudo DRM-free release won't be an argument.

Seriously, you're disappointing me.
Posted May 07, 2011
avatar
TheEnigmaticT: We will, once the game has matured some and is not being updated frequently, make a new master build on GOG.com which will, of course, require no serial key or activation to install or play. How long will that be? I don't know.
avatar
Wesker: Let me have a guess: this will happen the day "The Witcher 2 - Enhanced Edition" will get a DRM free retail distribution. At that point, there won't be any DRM in any version, so GOG's pseudo DRM-free release won't be an argument.

Seriously, you're disappointing me.
It makes me laugh and feel sorry for you when some of the biggest opponents of what CDPR was doing(xyem, snickersnack, scorpionscythe) have already made up with Gog/CDPR over this....yet you still feel the need to nitpick.
Posted May 07, 2011
avatar
GameRager: It makes me laugh and feel sorry for you when some of the biggest opponents of what CDPR was doing(xyem, snickersnack, scorpionscythe) have already made up with Gog/CDPR over this....yet you still feel the need to nitpick.
Why, of course, I don't expect you not to "laugh and feel sorry" for anyone not agreeing with you. Let me guess, you would have jumped at the last poster, whatsoever?

As you put it, " some of the biggest opponents" having made up means that "some" people have not been convinced. The point is, buying TW2 involves two possibilities:

1. purchasing it from a retailer/online distributor:
one-time mandatory online activation
registration in order to patch

2. GOG's version
no activation at installation...
...but compulsory activation in order to patch!

That is, unless you wait for an update that might as well come within two months (and then I'm fine with it) or come with a general patch that removes the DRM for all versions (then what's the use for the GOG's version? having been able to play simultaneously on five computers at home?).

What if I want to use separate computers for internet access and playing? Well, the official answer is, "Too bad for you!".


Oh, Mr Longino, please excuse me, but since you claim to have successfully haggled about some points, I will insist and ask you to back up your claim, otherwise I'll believe nothing has changed and this is a stunt. ;)
Posted May 07, 2011
Some people can't be pleased? Gog is trying it's best is what i'm saying, and with some things out of their hands even due to legal reasons....yet they try to placate us as best as possible and this seems to make good with most but not all....those few it doesn't make good with seem to me to be whining and looking for reasons to complain, is what i'm saying.
Posted May 07, 2011
avatar
Wesker: 2. GOG's version
no activation at installation...
...but compulsory activation in order to patch!

That is, unless you wait for an update that might as well come within two months (and then I'm fine with it) or come with a general patch that removes the DRM for all versions (then what's the use for the GOG's version? having been able to play simultaneously on five computers at home?).
I am getting it from GOG because it supports the devs the most. Yeah the patching drm stinks but I've always thought they would get rid of the DRM in all the versions in a few months after release anyways so non-drm wasn't the main reason I preordered on GOG.
Posted May 07, 2011
avatar
Wesker: Let me have a guess: this will happen the day "The Witcher 2 - Enhanced Edition" will get a DRM free retail distribution. At that point, there won't be any DRM in any version, so GOG's pseudo DRM-free release won't be an argument.

Seriously, you're disappointing me.
While it will inevitably happen then, too, I'm told that it is very likely we'll get a build well before that which is also fully patched on GOG.com.
Posted May 08, 2011
avatar
TheEnigmaticT: It seems to me that the issue with patching is not an issue with DRM; rather, it's an issue with content delivery.
As it was explained in this or in the other thread, patches are not additional content.

Anyway, will GOG offer refund when it happens that the version available for download is not playable without internet connection?
Posted May 08, 2011
avatar
TheEnigmaticT: It seems to me that the issue with patching is not an issue with DRM; rather, it's an issue with content delivery.
avatar
tomba4: As it was explained in this or in the other thread, patches are not additional content.

Anyway, will GOG offer refund when it happens that the version available for download is not playable without internet connection?
Some believe patches ARE additional content and some don't.....saying one or the other is fact is talking out one's rear, if you pardon my french.
Pages:
1
5
10
15
18
19
20
21
22
27
This is my favourite topic
Community
General discussion (archive)The Witcher 2 GoG version(393 posts)(393 posts)
(393 posts)