Originally Posted by Amazon DVG Deals Check out how we're displaying it to the customer on page: http://www.amazon.com/Focus-Home-Int...dp/B00806YCIC/ And yes, the goal is to be able to provide publishers with solid data around what sells. My personal hypothesis is that they are better off selling both Steam keys and a DRM free version, to cater to the non-zero number of people who don't want to use Steam but also the non-zero number of people only want to use Steam. Cheers, Tony

Originally Posted by Amazon DVG Deals Just heard back the Steam version of AGOT will still use Actcontrol ( :( ) and we should have Divinity DKS Steam Keys in time for the MAYhem sale ( ). Cheers, Tony

So how is a page with 2 concurrent DRM going to specify the kind of information in the second post? The only difference for the two pages- beyond selecting the page from their link's name- is in the description box. Illustrated below.

Additional info:
This game utilizes ActControl DRM
vs.
This game utilizes Steam DRM

While some customers may understand the second phrase, it's not clear. I can definitely see customers confusing the second phrase as "Steam serves as the only DRM on this download/code" instead of "Steam activation code with ActControl DRM on top." Makes me wish Steam had more prominent and accurate DRM descriptions too, especially for bundles.

Originally Posted by randomdud So how is a page with 2 concurrent DRM going to specify the kind of information in the second post? The only difference for the two pages- beyond selecting the page from their link's name- is in the description box. Illustrated below. Additional info: This game utilizes ActControl DRM vs. This game utilizes Steam DRM While some customers may understand the second phrase, it's not clear. I can definitely see customers confusing the second phrase as "Steam serves as the only DRM on this download/code" instead of "Steam activation code with ActControl DRM on top." Makes me wish Steam had more prominent and accurate DRM descriptions too, especially for bundles.

Yeah, I agree there is room for improvement on those descriptions. We're working on it, for now our main concern is communicating to customers - "This version will work on Steam" vs. "This game does not require you to install Steam".

There is a more elegant solution to this but we're fleshing it out over here before we make another set of changes to the page.

Cheers,
Tony

Got to agree here. Amazon (and Steam too because the ACT Control is not listed on their page either in this case) need to be absolutely clear on ALL DRM required on the games they are selling.

When I see a statement that a game utilizes Steam as DRM with no other statement following it regarding DRM I assume that Steam is the only DRM. It was only past experience with this publisher that raised a red flag for me and prompted me to ask.

Originally Posted by Amazon DVG Deals Not sure on American Nightmare, we should be. I have a meeting with the AW guy tomorrow so I will ask him. Cheers, Tony

OMG @ GOG's Alan Wake ($15) + American Nightmare deal ($11.24 if you buy AW).
And DRM-FREE, too.

Tony, I just can't resist this GOG deal...

You might want to talk to Remedy about them giving you a DRM-FREE Build of Alan Wake + American Nightmare, as well...

GOG got the upper-hand here...

Originally Posted by MysterD OMG @ GOG's Alan Wake ($15) + American Nightmare deal ($11.24 if you buy AW). And DRM-FREE, too. Tony, I just can't resist this GOG deal... You might want to talk to Remedy about them giving you a DRM-FREE Build of Alan Wake + American Nightmare, as well... GOG got the upper-hand here...

I believe that if you buy it from Amazon, register on Steam, it then gives you 25% off American Nightmare on Steam because you then have it on Steam ...Amazon doesnt carry american nightmare yet...at least I dont believe so....again this is essentially the same deal but all activated on Steam

Originally Posted by Motoki Got to agree here. Amazon (and Steam too because the ACT Control is not listed on their page either in this case) need to be absolutely clear on ALL DRM required on the games they are selling. When I see a statement that a game utilizes Steam as DRM with no other statement following it regarding DRM I assume that Steam is the only DRM. It was only past experience with this publisher that raised a red flag for me and prompted me to ask.

/agreed, I'm hoping this messaging is updated in the next 24 hours.

Originally Posted by MysterD OMG @ GOG's Alan Wake ($15) + American Nightmare deal ($11.24 if you buy AW). And DRM-FREE, too. Tony, I just can't resist this GOG deal... You might want to talk to Remedy about them giving you a DRM-FREE Build of Alan Wake + American Nightmare, as well... GOG got the upper-hand here...

Originally Posted by Drabelincoln I believe that if you buy it from Amazon, register on Steam, it then gives you 25% off American Nightmare on Steam because you then have it on Steam ...Amazon doesnt carry american nightmare yet...at least I dont believe so....again this is essentially the same deal but all activated on Steam

Also agreed, one of the main points I'll be talking to these guys about is parity .

Cheers,
Tony

Originally Posted by JustYourAverageJoe I'm glad that Amazon is supporting both though. If I can't get it on Steam, then getting it DRM-free is the next best thing. Having that choice is great.

Agreed.
It's all about choice.

If Amazon DVG is going to offer gamers a choice of Steam version vs. DRM-FREE, I'd likely take DRM-FREE.
If Amazon DVG is offering Steam vs. Some Other DRM Version, I'd have to look at what the other DRM is...

Hell, I can always add a Non-Steam game to my Steam list [of Non-Steam games] - especially for screenshot-taking purposes.

Any news on Arma 2? Perhaps for the Mayhem sale, that would be awesome! Also Gamestop download service has Space pirates vs Zombies on sale for 2.49 any pm chance? http://impulsedriven.com/spacepiratesandzom

Originally Posted by moon1970 oh so fine pack look great for 10$

Psychonauts is such a great game ...



... just watch out for these guys, they're everywhere!

Originally Posted by Amazon DVG Deals For those of you interested we'll also have 50% off Syndicate next week . Cheers, Tony

Is that 50% off the current price of $60?

Originally Posted by grae60 Any news on Arma 2? Perhaps for the Mayhem sale, that would be awesome! Also Gamestop download service has Space pirates vs Zombies on sale for 2.49 any pm chance? http://impulsedriven.com/spacepiratesandzom

Still working on Arma 2, also hamsters are running on SPVZ.

Originally Posted by TctclMvPhase Is that 50% off the current price of $60?

It is, so $29.99

Cheers,
Tony

Originally Posted by CheapLikeAFox I'm pretty sure he said they are/were going to have the same deal next week (50% off) on Alan Wake, but were going to include the Deluxe edition as well.

Probably worth mentioning that Alan Wake: GOG Version ($15 right now) has ALMOST ALL of the Collector's Ed content.
The In-Game Commentary, Alan Wake Files Digital PDF, and Both DLC's [Signal & Writer] are all there..

Only thing missing from the Alan Wake: GOG Version is The Soundtrack.
And GOG said there will be more "extras" coming on the page - so, if Soundtrack does get added, I'll let cha know.

GOG also gives you PDF Manual; 7 Writer in the Cabin videos; 9 Night Spring Episode vids; Making of the game vids; wallpapers.

Just so Amazon DVG knows what the heck they're competing against...
And in case Amazon DVG might want parity w/ the GOG Version...

Just noticed that Space Pirates and Zombies is $2.49 at Amazon.

Steam-free edition. (Does not activate on Steam).

Thanks Tony!

Thanks for pming the space pirates price, this is way better than downloading yet another download application for one game.

Originally Posted by Drabelincoln I believe that if you buy it from Amazon, register on Steam, it then gives you 25% off American Nightmare on Steam because you then have it on Steam ...Amazon doesnt carry american nightmare yet...at least I dont believe so....again this is essentially the same deal but all activated on Steam

FWIW I bought Alan Wake on Amazon a little while back and I can confirm the 25% promo for New American Nightmare shows for me on Steam.

I personally don't see GOG having any upper hand. I think the whole DRM free vs Steam is a very polarizing thing and people already have their minds made up so that pricing being fairly comparable, people will just go with their preference.

Originally Posted by MysterD Probably worth mentioning that Alan Wake: GOG Version ($15 right now) has ALMOST ALL of the Collector's Ed content. The In-Game Commentary, Alan Wake Files Digital PDF, and Both DLC's [Signal & Writer] are all there.. Only thing missing from the Alan Wake: GOG Version is The Soundtrack. And GOG said there will be more "extras" coming on the page - so, if Soundtrack does get added, I'll let cha know. GOG also gives you PDF Manual; 7 Writer in the Cabin videos; 9 Night Spring Episode vids; Making of the game vids; wallpapers. Just so Amazon DVG knows what the heck they're competing against... And in case Amazon DVG might want parity w/ the GOG Version...

Sound like the GoG version has more then. I guess I will go with GoG Thanks MysterD

Originally Posted by Motoki FWIW I bought Alan Wake on Amazon a little while back and I can confirm the 25% promo for New American Nightmare shows for me on Steam. I personally don't see GOG having any upper hand. I think the whole DRM free vs Steam is a very polarizing thing and people already have their minds made up so that pricing being fairly comparable, people will just go with their preference.

Even though we know the real advantage of DRM-FREE [no need to activate online, you just install and go...]

..Let's just forget the DRM-FREE thing for a moment.
Let's look again at the content and pricing...

Alan Wake: GOG version is giving you almost the Alan Wake CE for $15.
What's missing here on GOG Version is The Soundtrack currently.
[I have a funny feeling, some of the extra goodies we'll be getting soon might be the Soundtrack. If it comes to GOG, I'll say something...]
They are also giving you a few other things - see my post #2379 in this thread on this.

Alan Wake: Standard Ed on Steam is $15 on Steam and has less extras [at that price] than GOG's Version at $15.
You'll have Steam Achievements there.
You'll have full-fledged Steam support/integration.
If you want the whole Alan Wake CE, it's $17.49 on Steam.
The real advantage of the Alan Wake CE there on Steam is they have the soundtrack on there right now.

Originally Posted by Amazon DVG Deals Still working on Arma 2, also hamsters are running on SPVZ. Cheers, Tony

What's Amazon DVG's DRM on SPVZ?

Originally Posted by MysterD What's Amazon DVG's DRM on SPVZ?

that's too many acronyms!

Originally Posted by houdinilogic that's too many acronyms!

GP (Good Point).