I'm being lazy by asking, but... My library is pretty much split between Steam and Gog. I want to get Manor Lords. Is there a preferred platform these days? I've generally stuck with Gog for downloadable installers, but my knowledge is out of date.
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GOG hates Linux/has a very anti linux stance at least when it comes to their launcher. Meanwhile Steam's banking hard on Linux(not out of goodwill mind you, they fear the walled garden windows seems to go towards). I know which one I pick mostly because they actually cater to my needs.
As a linux user, I also hate linux.
But you hate yourself more. Your hobbies include CBT and and typing professional documents in VIM while crying.
Vim is my most used editor by far. It's beautiful.
What's bizarre is that a number of games on GOG that have native Linux version on Steam but can't be installed native onto Linux like XCOM 2.
Damn, really? I mean, if you have the files why not just use lutris?
It's the principle for me. Lutris/bottles does a lot or heroic games launcher. I have a couple games on GOG but I am not primarily buying there. I've had issues with Cyberpunk for example which I did not have on steam(got that one for really cheap after the fact). I've recently started just using the steam launcher for running .exe's, very useful imho as a lot of stuff works nice that way.
with gog, is it possible to at least get the client working on Linux so that you can obtain the installer? from there, it's a matter of running proton however you see fit.
Heroic Game Launcher is your best option for installing GOG games, especially if they offer a Linux version. Otherwise using Lutris/Bottles is always an option. You can also just install it by running the installer through Steam using Proton.
GOG. Ownership > Rental
Either.
Steam's DRM is 100% opt-in by the developer. I have several steam games I can copy the folder and play it on another PC.
I didn't know that.
Always GOG unless only Steam has some game or feature you need. Alternatively, sailing the high seas also often the best option.
Yep, we need oganization for a safe piracy site like what good old downloads used to be before it got DMCA'ed to oblivion because rivals that profiteer off malvertising snitched on them.
I don't have the link right now but there's one for GOG games and otherwise there's fit girl that has got basically everything.
Are the torrents on Peddit's privacy sub any good? I only use the streaming sites from that sub because I don't trust troons with my cybersecurity.
Unfortunately that's increasingly common with steam workshop cutting off external downloads, and GOG/Steam version differences. The GOG version of Skyrim SE for example isn't compatible with mods for basically no reason.
I use Steam because that's where my library is but GOG is probably the better choice since there's no DRM and you don't need to run the launcher to play the game.
The most reoccurring issue reported in news here is retroactive censorship through patches. Both suck in this regard. GOG has offline installers, which facilitates data hoarding and piracy; still very inconvenient. Steam has per-game "beta" where a dev can offer rollbacks. Steam's DRM is at least easily cracked by warez groups, and notifies third party DRM. GOG is less bad because the same games won't have third-party DRM.
Sometimes a game is behind on patches with GOG. 95% of the time you want patches.
CDPR/GOG went woke/corporate over the past decade. Valve funds proton and open source/linux development. For now it is beholden to private investors. I only wish Valve had the disposable resources to overtake Linux desktop development from Red Hat/IBM. For this reason I buy games off Steam unless a select title warrants GOG.
Currently (unless something changed very recently) steam's console API does still allow you to download any old version number of a game in your library, provided you know the depot number, for which steamdb is your friend.
It's a fairly precarious system, but it does mean you can download and archive pre-censored games, even retroactively.
Auto-update is trivially ignored by just running the application directly (comfy old-school vibes too) instead of through the launcher, so you don't have to worry about cracking the older version to play it either.
It's not super user friendly like GOG, but steam is actually pretty good for letting you download static copies of your games with only a little user savviness. At least until someone shuts down that function...
This is useful information, thank you!
Would be nice if steam made the "revert to game version X" feature available in their UI.
Knowing corporate censors, such exposure would jeopardize availability of verboten materials.
Totally up to personal choice. GOG, as far as I know, still gives you more freedom and actually DRM-free stuff, but the flipside is Steam is more connected and online. It all comes down to what's important to you.
Also, check out PlayNite, which is an open source program that can combine libraries from pretty much every major client. GOG does some of that, but PlayNite has more features.
Downloadable installers are king. It means I can still play the game decades from now when all the servers are gone. For this reason I have shifted more and more of my purchases away from Steam and towards GoG.
The biggest issue with GOG is developers and publishers relegate the service to second class as they can be multiple versions out of date compared to the Steam version. You'll also have to use something like Heroic Game Launcher, Lutris, or Bottles if you're planning on installing your games onto Linux... even though you shouldn't fucking have to since a number of games on GOG have native Linux versions.
Gog changed their terms recently so they can delete your account for wrong think.It's surviving on wokemoney and all that comes with it. Downloadable installers are what it's got going for it but they can change unless someone has different versions or patches to download somewhere.
A pirate forevermore, but should a game dev/studio sufficiently impress me, I will buy what they have on offer.
I check gog first, its usually a better price and no drm.
obviously steam is better for auto-updating but frankly i'd probably wait until the game is finished
if you're unsure you could always "play-test" the game on 1337x and then decide
I use both, and itch. I have no problems with multiple clients. Just not fucking turbo shit like EGS.
I've found more options on steam, but gog doesn't make you use their launcher to play them, so you don't have to jailbreak them or sail the high seas.