Difference between revisions of "The big list of DRM-free games on Steam"

Revision as of 20:14, 6 October 2013

There is DRM free games DB but it's huge mess, and there are many missing games. There will be corresponding thread on the Steam Users' Forums.

Key points

This list only refers to the Windows versions of games - OS X and Linux versions may or may not be DRM-free.

Steam is not inherently DRM.

Steam doesn't list which games are and aren't DRM-free.

Definition of DRM free game DRM free (game) means no copy protection i.e. you can use it without any sort of restriction. In practical term:

Game’s .exe can be launched directly and Steam client won’t pop up

Game’s .exe can be launched directly and there won’t be any additional DRM pop up

Game’s folder can be copied outside steamapp folder and used freely

What is Steamworks?

It is an API for gaming developers. They can use it for free to include a set of Steam features and solutions. Steamworks is not DRM, it's just one optional part of it. There are many games which are Steamworks but are DRM free. That will be noted.

Steamworks features like achievements, cloud, multiplayer and other won't work if game is launched outside of Steam client.

The Big List of 3rd Party DRM on Steam

This is a comparable list of Steam games which feature Third Party DRM.

Lists

Games are grouped in different categories as to be easy to find. There should be at least 4 games to warrant their own list. Lists are alphabetical.

Larian Studios

Name	Store Page	Notes
Beyond Divinity	Link
Divine Divinity	Link
Divinity II: Developer's Cut	Link	Free upgrade for owners of Divinity II: Ego Draconis or Divinity II: The Dragon Knight Saga.
Divinity: Dragon Commander	Link	Steamworks title.

Indie

Independent video games (commonly referred to as indie games) are video games created by individuals or small teams generally without video game publisher financial support.

Name	Store Page	Notes
A Virus Named TOM	Link	Steamworks title.
Cogs	Link	Steamworks title.
Dungeon Defenders	Link	Steamworks title. DRM free if you switch it to GameSpy mode before launching.
Dungeons of Dredmor	Link	Steamworks title.
Faerie Solitaire	Link	Steamworks title.
FEZ	Link	Steamworks title. Use FEZ_LaunchOption.exe to disable Steamworks so you can use DRM free version.
FTL: Faster Than Light	Link
Gratuitous Tank Battles	Link	Steamworks title.
Gratuitous Space Battles	Link
Penny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3	Link	Steamworks title.
Penny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 4	Link	Steamworks title.
Sol Survivor	Link	Steamworks title.
Super Meat Boy	Link	Steamworks title.
Strike Suit Zero	Link	Steamworks title.
The Binding of Isaac	Link	Steamworks title.
VVVVVV	Link

Others

This list features non-indie, AAA (big publishers) and games outside publishers in separate paragraphs.

Name	Store Page	Notes
Alpha Protocol	Link	Run ~\Binaries\APGame.exe, not APLauncher.exe.
Deus Ex: GotY Edition	Link
Far Cry 2: Fortune's Edition	Link
Rayman Origins	Link
Sonic the Hedgehog 4 - Episode I	Link	Steamworks title.
System Shock 2	Link
The Witcher: Enhanced Edition Director's Cut	Link	You can use CD key for free DRM backup on GOG.com and for the bonus content.
The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings Enhanced Edition	Link	Steamworks title. You can use CD key for the free DRM free backup on GOG.com and for the bonus content.
Worms Pinball	Link

Paradox Development Studio

Every Paradox Studio game is DRM free. Paradox stated many times their developed games are and will be DRM free like this one post or by their CEO.

Name	Store Page	Notes
Crusader Kings Complete	Link
Crusader Kings II	Link	Includes all expansions and DLCs.
Europa Universalis III Complete	Link	Includes Heir to the Throne and Divine Wind expansions and all DLCs.
Europa Universalis IV	Link	Steamworks title. Includes all expansions and DLCs.
Europa Universalis: Rome	Link
Hearts of Iron 2	Link
Hearts of Iron III	Link	Includes all expansions and DLCs.
March of Eagles	Link
Sengoku	Link
Victoria: An Empire Under the Sun	Link
Victoria II	Link	Includes A House Divided and Heart of Darkness expansions and all DLCs.

Semi-indie

Games developed by indie studio/developer but published by big publisher.

Name	Store Page	Notes
Bastion	Link	Steamworks title.
Fairy Bloom Freesia	Link	Steamworks title.

@@ Line 13: / Line 13: @@
 {{++}} Game’s folder can be copied outside steamapp folder and used freely
-'''What is Steamworks?''' It is an API for gaming developers. They can use it for free to include a set of Steam features and solutions. Steamworks is not DRM, it's just one optional part of it. There are many games which are Steamworks but are DRM free. That will be noted.
+'''What is Steamworks?'''
+{{ii}} It is an API for gaming developers. They can use it for free to include a set of Steam features and solutions. Steamworks is not DRM, it's just one optional part of it. There are many games which are Steamworks but are DRM free. That will be noted.
 {{ii}} Steamworks features like achievements, cloud, multiplayer and other won't work if game is launched outside of Steam client.
-'''The Big List of 3rd Party DRM on Steam''' is [http://pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/The_Big_List_of_3rd_Party_DRM_on_Steam here.]
+'''[[The Big List of 3rd Party DRM on Steam]]'''
+{{ii}} This is a comparable list of Steam games which feature Third Party DRM.
-Games are grouped in different categories as to be easy to find. There should be at least 4 games to warrant their own list. Lists are alphabetical.
+'''Lists'''
+{{ii}} Games are grouped in different categories as to be easy to find. There should be at least 4 games to warrant their own list. Lists are alphabetical.
 ==Larian Studios==