SHP Forums

I thought I'd make a list of all the digital download distribution platforms (including bundle sites) that I currently know of. There might be more than these and if there are, please write them down.

As far as I know, all the information is accurate (at least at the time of this post), but that can change at any point. If anyone here knows of a correction that should be made, please post it.

I'd also appreciate it if this post could be turned into a sticky, so it's always easily accessible.

NAME: Amazon
WEBSITE: http://www.amazon.com/
MEDIA: Digital and Physical (games can be bought on Amazon, but require other forms of DRM).
PLATFORMS: Windows (XP/7/8) and Mac OS X (digital and physical; console games are physical only and must be shipped)
DRM: Variable - Although Amazon has no native DRM itself for its games, digital download requires a US billing address. Some people claim it's possible to make up a US billing address if you live outside the United States. I don't know if this is possible since I haven't tried it. Games sold both digitally and physically on Amazon may also require other forms of DRM, such as Steamworks, UPlay or Origin.

NAME: Desura
WEBSITE: http://www.desura.com/
MEDIA: Digital
PLATFORMS: Windows (XP/7/8), Mac OS X and Linux
DRM: Variable - Although Desura claims it has no native DRM, the Desura client is necessary to play any games acquired on its service. In addition, any publisher that hosts its game on Desura may use whatever form of DRM they choose.

NAME: GameFly Digital (formerly known as "Direct2Drive")
WEBSITE: http://digital.gamefly.com/#!/pc
MEDIA: Digital
PLATFORMS: Windows (XP/7/8) and Mac OS X
DRM: Variable - The GameFly Digital Client is needed and some games require other forms of DRM, such as Steamworks or Origin.

NAME: GamersGate
WEBSITE: http://www.gamersgate.com/
MEDIA: Digital
PLATFORMS: Windows (XP/7/8), Mac OS X and Linux
DRM: Variable - GG does not include any native DRM since removing their client on January 28, 2009. However, many of their games do require other forms of DRM, such as Origin or Steamworks.

NAME: GameStop PC (formerly known as "Impulse")
WEBSITE: http://www.impulsedriven.com/
MEDIA: Digital
PLATFORMS: Windows (XP/7/8)
DRM: Yes - GameStop PC uses their own DRM solution called Impulse Reactor and their own client called GameStop App. GameStop also sells games that use other DRM, such as Steamworks.

NAME: GOG (formerly known as "Good Old Games")
WEBSITE: http://www.gog.com/
MEDIA: Digital
PLATFORMS: Windows (XP/7/8) and Mac OS X.
DRM: No - GOG is specifically known for having no native DRM on its software. However, if the game itself required a form of DRM before arriving on GOG (such as a CD Key or looking up information within the game's manual), it will remain intact. GOG provides all necessary keys and/or documentation to bypass this issue. No game sold on GOG, at this time, requires modern DRM, such as Steamworks, Origin, UPlay, etc.

NAME: Green Man Gaming
WEBSITE: http://www.greenmangaming.com/
MEDIA: Digital
PLATFORMS: Windows (XP/7/8)
DRM: Yes - GMG's native DRM is called Capsule, which is a form of SecuROM. If Capsule isn't needed, another type of DRM usually is, such as Origin or Steam.

NAME: Origin
WEBSITE: https://www.origin.com/
MEDIA: Digital and Physical (games can be bought in-store, but require an EA/Origin account).
PLATFORMS: Windows (XP/7/8) and Mac OS X (console games available through website only and must be shipped)
DRM: Yes - Origin client must be downloaded for PC/Mac. A few titles, such as The Old Republic, don't need the Origin client, but require an EA account nonetheless.

NAME: Steam
WEBSITE: http://store.steampowered.com/
MEDIA: Digital and Physical (games can be bought in-store, but require Steamworks)
PLATFORMS: Windows (XP/7/8), Mac OS X, and Linux
DRM: Yes - Steamworks (the Steam client) is needed to run all games unless the developer makes it otherwise possible. Does not preclude the use of other forms of DRM or services (such as SecuROM, TAGS, UPlay or GFWL) based upon the publisher's requirements, in addition to Steamworks itself.

NAME: UPlay
WEBSITE: http://uplay.ubi.com/
MEDIA: Digital or Physical (games can be bought in-store, but require a UPlay account)
PLATFORMS: Windows (XP/7/8), Mac OS X, iOS, Facebook, PS3, PS4, XBox 360, XBox One, and WiiU.
DRM: Yes - UPlay account needed for the majority of games made by Ubisoft.

Game bundle sites:

• Bundle-in-a-Box
• Bundle Stars
• Groupees
• Humble Bundle
• Indie Gala
• Indie Royale

DeadPoolX wrote:I'd also appreciate it if this post could be turned into a sticky, so it's always easily accessible.

No problem.

Keep an eye on Epic Games Store. It's shaping up to be a healthy competitor for Valve's Steam. It offers way better profit splits to developers as well. Here's a chart:



The 5% there is the cost to release an Unreal engine game. Steam adds that on top of the cut they take so you make even less. Epic folds that cost into their 12% take so it's the same whether you're developing a game with Unreal or not. Really great for developers!

As far as the consumer side of things goes, they also aim to give away a free game every two weeks. Today Subnautica is free and in two weeks Super Meat Boy will be. If they can compete with Valve's legendary Steam Sales then I'm A-ok with this. But they're already off to a good start with the giveaways. I don't know how long that will continue, whether it's just to fish in customers as it starts out or not.

It likely won't be DRM-free like GOG, but it's the best looking and best sounding platform that sells third party games since Steam itself and there hasn't been anything remotely like it besides GOG. They've got a long way to catch up to Steam's experience and status, but if they play their cards right they could swoop in and scoop up a chunk of Steam's userbase. I hope they succeed. Valve desperately needs some competition. They've been getting far too lazy and complacent.

Even if it is not cheaper I like the idea of more of my money going to the devs.