Good news :-)

Link

Civilization V + VI next maybe?? :-D

Oh, they kept the mod launcher as an option. That's a nice convenience for anyone in need of it. Most welcome approach

Yes, but have they also remove the numerous spyware that was added to their newest games?

For instance XCOM: Chimera Squad has, not one, not two, but 7 different spywares... 7!!!
I wouldn't install a game like that even if they paid me.

Also since when did civilization V had a launcher! The last time i played it (years ago) the only retarded launcher was steam.

I did not notice the DRM free edition of Civ 6 was using a 2K launcher, at least not in offline-mode (not using it Online). The DLCs works properly it seems, but on EGS only... Steam is probably locked.

Regarding Civ 5, this game is still DRMed everywhere, according to my infos. So, it will not run without an account, no matter which account is used, it will need one.

I had issue with Civ5 not working on new PC with no steam installed, even if you use the dll.

It is the first time I read about a DRM-free build of Civilization 6. Where can I find that?

I am not allowed to post direct links to a shop, except GOG of course but GOG is not owning this game, sadly... i dunno why.

You can find a version which works without a launcher attached (so basically DRM free) on EGS only! However, it will not be cheap i assume. I paid over 100 for the Anthology Edition but it works properly in offline mode for me, with all DLCs activated, so it was well worth the coins.

There is a list of games that are DRM free (to some extend... written on the notes, if so): https://www.gog.com/forum/general/good_games_that_are_available_drmfree_but_currently_are_not_sold_on_gog/post103

Of course in DRM free mode LAN is working, just the Online multiplayer (need to enable account for this) will be disabled and some DLCs are multiplayer only. Most DLCs should work offline and i got a total of 39 official DLCs included, https://ibb.co/mhbRV7z

So not really DRM-free, since you need to go through the EGS client for the initial download (I know about Legendary, but as far as I know it is not officially endorsed by Epic so could stop working at any time).

Thanks for confirming I had not missed anything ;)

You always need a client in order to download a game. Anyway, i can play it without hassles and if you do not want a client for downloading... no clue where to find it but good luck.

Besides:
EGS is not biased toward DRM, they say "the decision is up to the publisher." The GOG philosophy we already know... although even GOG is not 100% clean and Steam is the biggest obstacle here because their core philosophy is not allowing for a non-account approach because Steamworks is a big thing. However, they do allow a publisher to leave it unlocked, those games do not need any account in order to run, once downloaded.

The main idea of DRM free is "it can be backed up, archived, become usable offline at any given moment and even become played without any account at all, once downloaded", so it is "truly owned". On GOG with a installer included, which i do value a lot.

The client is not a issue to me, it can even be practical if i still may need a fresh download or a game update. Sometimes it may be required for online-play. I just DO NOT want to have a "forced account demand for offline play"... offline = this is MY game, finish story.

Of course not, I never used any to download the games I bought from GOG, Humble Bundle or itch.io.

What did you do then? Go to Poland and get the games on an usb-stick?

Guess we have some misconception what it actually means "having a client". To me this is simply some sort of account, but NOT a launcher. A account can be "website only" or it can be used by some sort of launcher (often it is kinda seamless... EGS and Steam is kinda a combination of both at once). If it is actually a "launcher window" or a "website" is not really the point here... the point is that a account is needed in order to buy and download a game.

The difference is simply:
I already told, for any game considered DRM free there is no launcher required in order to play it and, once installed, there is no need to even log into any account... so it can be played 100% offline as soon as it has been downloaded.

Civ 6 on EGS does fit this "condition"... although it still does lack a offline-installer in this version.

What's the use of a DRM free base game if the majority of its mods are tied to a shovelware / spyware called Steam Workshop ?

That totally depends on the game... so this is a difficult question to answer. Because it can be pretty complicated when it comes to DLCs. Surely it was in many cases never meant to be "available" for anyone not using a account, as the publishers want to reward "the good DRM-account players". There are always exceptions of course..

There are basically those types of "DLC-style":

1. A game that got all DLCs included in the main game but it need to be activated by an account, sometimes this style can be "circumvented" in order to bring all those DLCs offline (so without active account requirement anymore). "Star Ocean 6" is a good example.

2. A game that got the DLCs, at least the official ones (community made stuff is always linked to a certain community... it can be a "Steam workshop" , "Nexus mods" or whatelse) directly bundled with the main-game, without the need to activate it by using a account. "Civ 6" is for example one of them.

3. A game that got DLCs but those DLCs are so much trash, it can safely become ignored... not even worth it to deal with it... for example "Lies of P".

4. A game that actually got no game-bound DLCs at all... just a artbook and soundtrack that can be fully downloaded. For example "Triangle Strategy".

5, A game that got Online-only DLCs on purpose, so in general it may only work online and online almost always means "paired with an account", so it is partially DRMed in such a case. For example (not sure yet) "Remnant from the Ashes."

But yes, it is a complicated matter and i have to crack my mind on it... with as always limited time... so it will take a long time finding out what actually "works", and if so "how does it work" or the stuff that simply "does not work at all".

It is in general a matter i still have to investigate one by one... because it can be pretty different for every game... kinda a hassle finding it out.

If Steam workshop was so bad, mod creators wouldn't use it. Want a mod to not be on there, contact a mod creator. Steam Workshop is a pretty good platform for modders and mod users alike.