GOG has always been a great spot to get cheap games, especially if for whatever reason you’re not interested in using Steam. They must have noticed just how many users they have, because they’ve officially begun their open beta for GOG Galaxy. Galaxy is a new client that will soon join the ranks of Steam, Uplay, and Origin (but hopefully at least do better than the last two).
Offering a rather different approach, Galaxy promises a DRM-free experience that connects all of your games, no matter where they were purchased. Instead of competing directly, Galaxy tries a more ‘blue ocean’ approach by making just about everything optional. There may not be a workshop or trading cards, but what it lacks it makes up for with freedom. You don’t have to be online to play your games, you can stop them from patching automatically, and you don’t even need to create a profile if you don’t want to.
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“The fact remains that while Galaxy is doing a lot of things right, it does currently feel a little bit bare bones in terms of features.”
Of course, profiles are still optional. You can have a friends list, and use the messaging system to talk to whoever you want. Galaxy also offers cross-play, allowing you to connect to anyone on other applications like Steam or Origin. It basically lacks any sort of prohibitive measures that many gamers are fed up with. You can even download a DRM-free copy of any game in your library and save the files wherever you wish. Please pinch me, because I just might be dreaming.
Now, whenever a new digital distribution service gets rolled out, there are always complaints. Whether it’s Steam’s poor customer service or the way Uplay hogs memory, customers are displeased for very good reasons. The fact remains that while Galaxy is doing a lot of things right, it does currently feel a little bit bare bones in terms of features. Steam does make a ton of money off the marketplace, but it allows others to do so too. Dota items, CS:GO maps and skins, even the recently failed attempt at paid mods for Skyrim was a cool idea although poorly executed.
Coming out strong with The Witcher 3 joining its library of supported titles, Galaxy promises to give you the power to house your games however you want. GOG has taken off all the fancy bells and whistles and given the public what many have been asking for: freedom of choice. It might take a while to really pick up steam but we think it has a lot of potential. As long as nothing goes horribly wrong, there is a good chance you’ll be seeing more and more people not necessarily ditching the current trio but rather harnessing them all through Galaxy. It’s an interesting way of making exclusivity somewhat irrelevant.
While they surely still have a long way to go, this is only the beginning. Steam started out pretty simple too, and there was a time when a certain gif involving their logo and a bent over person was quite commonplace. If enough people make the switch to Galaxy or at least give it a chance to share the spotlight a little bit, we could see some very cool things. How great would it be to transfer any game effortlessly from one device to another and not worry about DRM? That happened every day not too long ago.
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“How great would it be to transfer any game effortlessly from one device to another and not worry about DRM?”
It’s way too early to tell, but at the very least it’ll be fun to watch a new challenger enter the ring. The best part is how Galaxy doesn’t intend to walk up and peddle something similar. Instead, Galaxy offers something different that’s been sought-after for years by many. Will the other three follow suit, or team up in an effort to keep DRM alive? Please feel free to let us know in the comments who you think will be crowned king in this new war of the distributers.
