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If the developer offers the game on itch.io, buy it from there. If the developer offers the game on GOG, buy it from there. Otherwise, check if there's curren

If the developer offers the game on itch.io, buy it from there. If the developer offers the game on GOG, buy it from there. Otherwise, check if there's currently a crack for the steamworks version of the game. If so, buy it on Steam. Don't actually download or use the crack; just check it exists before buying. Otherwise, don't buy the game.

opan 2y ago
The recent indie release, Kitsune Tails, was available on Steam and Itch, but the creator actually made clear on social media that Steam reviews were really important and that they were only counted properly if the game was bought on Steam and not added there via a key. They were really pushing to hit Overwhelmingly Positive shortly after release, I don't know if that was the only reason, though. Also in your advice where you recommend verifying a crack exists before buying on Steam, isn't it similar to see if a GOG (drm-free) version exists that you could fetch at no cost later if needed, and then buy on Steam?
- amiga386 2y ago
  If the game developer wants to follow a particular marketing plan, e.g. they've discovered they get more sales when there's a lot of positive Steam reviews, then of course you can help with that. If retweets, or Reddit posts, or Facebook likes or lets-play Twitch streams, or whatever else sells copies, and you're in a position to do that... However, when buying on Steam, you need to watch out for your own interests too. Will you still be able to play this game in 20 years? Checking there is a crack is your insurance policy. If you can buy it DRM-free on itch.io or GOG, do that instead. Steam store pages will list if there is any _third-party_ DRM, but won't list if the developer is using Steamworks DRM, so generally you have to assume it is (unless the developer assures otherwise, or it's on https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/The_big_list_of_DRM-free_games_on_Steam https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/The_big_list_of_DRM-free_g... )
shantara 2y ago
I can't recall any cases where a game delisted from Steam was removed from the libraries of people who already bought them. Meanwhile, Oxenfree was removed from itch.io, including making it unavailable for download even for those who have purchased the game. This is unprecedented as far as I know. Presumably, itch unlike Steam doesn't have the leverage or lawyers on staff to enforce what's a blatant violation both the consumer rights and itch.io's own terms of service. https://www.theverge.com/2024/9/9/24239877/if-bought-oxenfree-on-itch-io-you-wont-be-able-to-download-it-starting-next-month https://www.theverge.com/2024/9/9/24239877/if-bought-oxenfre...
- amiga386 2y ago
  The reason I suggest itch.io is because they take ~10% cut, compared to Valve and CD Projekt's 30% cut. The developer gets more money. But if itch.io, GOG or Steam shut down tomorrow... I would not expect to be able to download from them at all. You should install the games on your computer, storing them at your own cost. And if the game is DRM-free, you can still play the game! Steam is of course very nice in serving re-installs to customers of no-longer-purchasable games. But you can expect that some day it will end. That's why the fight is to have no DRM... to ensure publishers can't "take away" a game already on your computer, or a book already on your e-reader. It's not to demand storefronts let you download your stuff from their servers indefinitely, which is nice but ruinously expensive for them.

opan 2y ago

The recent indie release, Kitsune Tails, was available on Steam and Itch, but the creator actually made clear on social media that Steam reviews were really important and that they were only counted properly if the game was bought on Steam and not added there via a key. They were really pushing to hit Overwhelmingly Positive shortly after release, I don't know if that was the only reason, though. Also in your advice where you recommend verifying a crack exists before buying on Steam, isn't it similar to see if a GOG (drm-free) version exists that you could fetch at no cost later if needed, and then buy on Steam?

amiga386 2y ago
If the game developer wants to follow a particular marketing plan, e.g. they've discovered they get more sales when there's a lot of positive Steam reviews, then of course you can help with that. If retweets, or Reddit posts, or Facebook likes or lets-play Twitch streams, or whatever else sells copies, and you're in a position to do that... However, when buying on Steam, you need to watch out for your own interests too. Will you still be able to play this game in 20 years? Checking there is a crack is your insurance policy. If you can buy it DRM-free on itch.io or GOG, do that instead. Steam store pages will list if there is any _third-party_ DRM, but won't list if the developer is using Steamworks DRM, so generally you have to assume it is (unless the developer assures otherwise, or it's on https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/The_big_list_of_DRM-free_games_on_Steam https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/The_big_list_of_DRM-free_g... )

shantara 2y ago

I can't recall any cases where a game delisted from Steam was removed from the libraries of people who already bought them. Meanwhile, Oxenfree was removed from itch.io, including making it unavailable for download even for those who have purchased the game. This is unprecedented as far as I know. Presumably, itch unlike Steam doesn't have the leverage or lawyers on staff to enforce what's a blatant violation both the consumer rights and itch.io's own terms of service. https://www.theverge.com/2024/9/9/24239877/if-bought-oxenfree-on-itch-io-you-wont-be-able-to-download-it-starting-next-month https://www.theverge.com/2024/9/9/24239877/if-bought-oxenfre...

amiga386 2y ago
The reason I suggest itch.io is because they take ~10% cut, compared to Valve and CD Projekt's 30% cut. The developer gets more money. But if itch.io, GOG or Steam shut down tomorrow... I would not expect to be able to download from them at all. You should install the games on your computer, storing them at your own cost. And if the game is DRM-free, you can still play the game! Steam is of course very nice in serving re-installs to customers of no-longer-purchasable games. But you can expect that some day it will end. That's why the fight is to have no DRM... to ensure publishers can't "take away" a game already on your computer, or a book already on your e-reader. It's not to demand storefronts let you download your stuff from their servers indefinitely, which is nice but ruinously expensive for them.