http://playstarbound.com/

Not bad. Anyone pre ordered? :). They have a kickstarter styled pre order :D

Haven't preordered but it does look really interesting. I'll be keeping an eye on it.

I'm waiting on some info regarding DRM...

I have been following that game ever since it was announced I believe they said it would be DRM free I may be wrong though but I will take a look

The preorder package says it will contain '1x Copy of Starbound + Steam key', which implies that the 'copy' will be DRM free.

I'm eagerly waiting for this game but I didn't know they had put up the pre-orders. I'm thinking of pre-ordering now but I think I'll wait and see if I can get the 4-pack with a few friends.

Outside of Steam doesn't necessarily mean DRM-free...

I know, but it looks hopeful. Terraria was Steam only, so this is an improvement. Also, the fact that they didn't specify a different distributor when they did specify Steam implies that the copy won't be sold through a DD, but (most likely) off the site. As buying/writing another DRM for the game for the non steam cop would be expensive and somewhat odd, that seems to suggest that it'll be DRM free outside Steam.

The game is being sold through the Humble Store and becomes part of your library once you buy it, so once it's released it is meant to show up there as a download. As far as online activation goes, I don't think even the developers know for sure yet, they keep asking users what they want. I mean only about 2 weeks ago they were still only considering the Humble Store, so if you have any particular requests, you're likeliest to get an answer from twitter.com/Tiyuri

If given the choice, why would any user vote for online activation? o.0

I did try asking via Twitter yesterday but never heard back.

Even if it is sold through the Humble Store, that isn't a guarantee of being DRM Free. Trine 2 is sold that way and the game is nearly a year late at this point of the original promised DRM Free release.

I saw the question asked on their forums, but it didn't have an official answer from someone associated with the game. Until a concrete statement is made about distribution I'm holding off ordering it.

http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/1ccf2l/we_are_chucklefish_games_developers_of_indie_game/
The developers are doing an IAmA on Reddit at the moment and giving away free pre-order keys.

They were apparently all gone by the time you posted it.

New stretch goal added, Fossils: http://playstarbound.com/stretch-goal-2-fossils/

Vote for Starbound on GOG


DRM-free Starbound Update:

tried to find a thread on their forums but its FULL of random + search is worse than here. i think DRM being 3 letters factored in as well.

After the horrible news this week about Shadowrun Returns being a Steam exclusive w/ DRM for non KS backers and
based upon the heated thread:
http://www.gog.com/forum/general/new_gaming_options_followup_survey/page1

i decided to ask some questions about Starbound's DRM-free ness. Much like the Question in that thread the only DRM possibilities are in the region of "A unique key is required for Internet multiplayer" on their servers.

Used the IRC link off the playstarbound.com site, devs are sometimes online and not just idling in the IRC channel.
IRC copy/paste edited out much non DRM Q + As

Highlights for Starbound:
- it's DRM free
- the steam version won't have DRM
Q: So its possible to play Starbound without being online?
A: [01:40] <+kyren> yes, it will be

- Dev DRM Disclaimer:
[01:44] <+OmnipotentEntity> ErekoseDM, just in case, I want to let you know so we don't get called liars later on. Currently the game actually does feature a form of DRM, the client attempts an RSA style auth with a server on bootup. It allows us to easily combat any leaks that happen. The auth code will be rolled into a completely option global authentication that servers can connect to to ensure that when they ban people they stay banned.

Q about disclaimer: if for example i download the installer and unplug my internet / use it on a laptop with no net, id still be able to boot up and play the single player mode with no issues correct?
A: [01:46] <+OmnipotentEntity> ErekoseDM, absolutely

**********
<Sykes_> Anyone with +v is a developer

<Sykes_> Tiyuri is the project lead and designer, but he helps out with art I believe
*for attached pic (credit for pic to FMK)

Full Text of the IRC that pertains to the DRM, some technical details im sure many of you guys will understand greater than I perhaps of interest.
---

[01:37] <Sykes_> Hey bartwe, kyren, or omnipotententity, this man is trying to find proof that Starbound is DRM-free, would you guys be able to help him out?
[01:37] <Sykes_> Give him some extra confirmation, perhaps?
[01:37] <+kyren> it's DRM free
[01:37] <+kyren> there will be a DRM free version
[01:37] <+kyren> and the steam version won't have DRM
[01:38] <Sykes_> Straight from the programmer of Starbound, ErekoseDM
[01:38] <+kyren> when I say "DRM free version"
[01:38] <+kyren> I really mean "steam-free version"
[01:38] <+kyren> because no version will have DRM
[01:38] <ErekoseDM> these words make me very happy

[01:38] <+kyren> the most we will have at all is an *optional* authenticated account system, we're not sure
[01:39] <+kyren> but it wouldn't be required
[01:39] <+kyren> but bartwe in particular wants it as an option
[01:39] <+kyren> and I'm in favor of it also
[01:39] <+kyren> but again, *optional*

[01:39] <ErekoseDM> as long as it can be done offline authentication
[01:39] <+kyren> as in, an "unauthenticated mode"
[01:39] <+kyren> in the GUI, not like MC where you have to set a flag in a .properties file

[01:39] <ErekoseDM> in case the servers go down in 10 years or i have no net but a starbound gaming fiend
[01:39] <+kyren> er, whatever config file
[01:39] <Chirno> So its possible to play Starbound without being online?
[01:40] <+kyren> yes, it will be
[01:40] <+kyren> does that answer your guys questions?
[01:40] <+kyren> no problem :)

[01:40] <ErekoseDM> no Steam CEG and i can move the folder and it still will function with steam uninstalled?

[01:44] <+OmnipotentEntity> ErekoseDM, just in case, I want to let you know so we don't get called liars later on. Currently the game actually does feature a form of DRM, the client attempts an RSA style auth with a server on bootup. It allows us to easily combat any leaks that happen. The auth code will be rolled into a completely option global authentication that servers can connect to to ensure that when they ban people they stay banned.
[01:44] <+OmnipotentEntity> but again, completely optional, much like Minecraft

[01:46] <Sykes_> SpiderDave, despite it not sounding like DRM, it is technically a form of it. It doesn't sound like it because most DRM these days are extremely aggressive and counter-producitve
[01:46] <+OmnipotentEntity> SpiderDave, it is by broad definitions.

[01:46] <ErekoseDM> OmnipotentEntity not so great on the computer stuff, but if for example i download the installer and unplug my internet / use it on a laptop with no net, id still be able to boot up and play the single player mode with no issues correct?
[01:46] <+OmnipotentEntity> ErekoseDM, absolutely

[01:46] <WarStalkeR> OmnipotentEntity: well basically if I want, I can enable this protection on my dedicated server?
[01:47] <+OmnipotentEntity> WarStalkeR, yes.

[01:47] <ErekoseDM> but were i banned for hacking or something id be obviously K-lined before allowed onto your servers for online play
[01:47] <+OmnipotentEntity> ErekoseDM, you can be banned from individual servers, alternatively your key can be revoked if it's involved in widespread piracy, that acts as sort of a global multiplayer ban for servers that care

[01:48] <ErekoseDM> sounds great to me! hope to see you guys on GOG.com down the road (hopefully we can get some keys on there when you guys make it)
**********

if there were more questions try their IRC channel (linked off their site) or the email option.
hope this was of some help to any others with DRM-free Starbound questions.