Topic on Talk:The big list of DRM-free games on Steam

All right, I am back after more than a year. I didn't forget bad things which happened in 3rd party DRM page, but this page deserve to be updated because I started it after all.

1) I'm going to rework a bit Steamwork explanation. 2) I'll add and check list of games because my friends and I have much more games. 3) I'll check games only for Windows because I don't have enough space for Linux. 4) Every game which has Trading Cards is Steamworks game because it's part of it. Read FAQ if you don't believe: http://steamcommunity.com/tradingcards/faq/ Instructions and tools for trading cards can be found under the Community tab of your App Admin in Steamworks.

If anybody wants to contact me via Steam, just post it, I'll give a link to my profile page.

Mmkay, a couple of issues:

1. The previous explanation for Steamworks is correct. It isn't inherently DRM, as it is quite possible for a game to take advantage of Steamworks (e.g. Psychonauts, which has Steam achievements) yet still run with no problems when Steam is not present. Also, there are two DRMs that may be used, Steam DRM and CEG. They are separate and completely different schemes. Both are optional (and AFAIK, exclusive to each other). You can't just search and replace all "Steam DRM" to "CEG" because they aren't the same things.
2. Not every game that has Trading Cards relies on the Steamworks API. The same goes for Cloud Saves. Trading Cards are given automatically as you keep the game running. AFAIK there is no client-accessible API for controlling card drops. Cloud saves are configured with the rest of the app info (there are numerous examples on SteamDB), and may optionally be accessed via Steamworks API if there is additional data to be stored (like Workshop items). Examples of games that have Trading Cards but are not linked at all with the Steamworks API include Antichamber and Uriel's Chasm. While those games may be considered Steamworks titles, for the purpose of this list they are actually DRM-free.

Edit: Regarding first point, I suppose it doesn't really matter if it's stated Steamworks is or is not DRM. The rest of it still stands.

1. Numbered list item Can you give a link for the difference between Steam DRM and CEG. All I see on Steamworks page is CEG. http://www.steampowered.com/steamworks/publishingservices.php
2. 2) How are Trading Cards are not part of Steamworks when it's stated in FAQ? Instructions and tools for trading cards can be found under the Community tab of your App Admin in Steamworks. - You can't get cards if you are not running game from Steam client and you have to have internet connection. DRM has nothing with it, so I don't understand why you mention it anyway. So, trading cards are just one of many parts of Steamworks.

1. I don't know if there's a publicly accessible page about Steam DRM, but it's certainly separate from CEG. Steam DRM is not account/computer specific, while CEG is. Steam DRM either encrypts the game code or it doesn't (developer's choice), but either way inserts code that runs to check ownership before the main game code is executed. CEG only messes with certain functions that the developer marks, so code is partially encrypted, and you don't typically see the code's entry point changed. I have a writeup on Steam DRM here.
2. What I mean is the game itself may not have any Steamworks integration even if it has Trading Cards. I don't think it's worthwhile to indicate a game as a Steamworks title if it has no such integration. Sort of like what Garrett said about non-critical features are expected to be lost if Steam isn't running (though I'd limit omitting the Steamworks label only for games that don't use the Steamworks API at all).

1. I'll read it. My answer tomorrow.

2. But cards are part of Steamworks as per Valve. It's irrelevant how much it's important. It's relative anyway. Look, for many Steam users cards are very important (just look Bundle Stars how they notice in bundles if game has cards). It is feature compared to the same DRM-free game bought on likes GOG.

Steam cards could even be important. Though they do not rely on nothing but game time.

And I read Valve statement... though I have to say it's completely different in italian..

..even if the only way to have them was "Steamworks panel"... are you sure that couldn't be just a name to refer to the control panel every developer/publisher on Steam should have?

EDIT: besides CEG was announced just in 2009... even if every new game released since then had used it... older game would still be using good old DRM, that just encase the original game executable
+ random stuff

BTW, as I said, there is a distinction between CEG and Steam DRM, and both are being used. CEG has not replaced Steam DRM. You can tell if a game is CEG protected by looking at its config tab on SteamDB. Example: compare The Darkness II (a CEG protected game) with Trine 2 (a Steam DRM protected game). You will notice that The Darkness II has a "cegpublickey" entry, while Trine 2 does not. You'll note that Trine 2 was released after The Darkness II.

I think the "Steamworks title" phrase should be replaced with specific mentions of crucial game features that are lost (e.g. multiplayer modes). The loss of non-critical client features like achievements is already covered in the intro text so games that only lose such features wouldn't mention Steamworks at all (since that is an expected trade-off of running games without the client).

There is no need to mention or change anything because every game has Store link so anybody can see it what is lost if you run game without Steam (you get DRM-free game like it's on GOG or Humble).