All Games (Shmups) at itch.io DRM-Free???

[Shadolf]

Are all games at itch.io DRM-free?
I had this question since I purchased DonYoku a few mounth ago.
After purchasing DonYoku, I downloaded the files and get this mainfolder:


How can I use this game without STEAM?
At itch.io it say´s: Most itch.io releases come with DRM-free builds along with extra keys, when the game is also available on Steam.
At the DonYoku thread some said its DRM-free but no one explained how.
I´m interested at Super Galaxy Squadron and would like to know how/if I can get it DRM-free.
Could please, someone explain it to me.
http://nickclinkscales.itch.io/super-galaxy-squadron

[BPzeBanshee]

They should be. Not sure about that installer but if you can get the actual game files and delete steam_api.dll that'll be the key to determining DRM-freedom or not.

[Shadolf]

OK, I think I got the game files from the STEAM location at my HDD (C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Don'Yoku).
Copied them to another place and deleated the steam_appid.txt.
Games works. Will test it at another PC soon (EDIT: Works from USB-stick on another PC, too).

But this isn´t exactly how I understand DRM-free.
I have to Install STEAM and get the game using the STEAM-Key and then get the Files from the STEAM directory.

Is there any way without all this???

[TerraCottaFrog]

Itch.io lets developers put whatever DRM they want on their games, but they don't add anything themselves. You should contact the developer to see if there is any other way.

[gray117]

Well sounds like they're using steam more as a distribution/back-up/retrival resource - so that customers can (re-)download the game.

... the alternative is that they have to run that side of things themselves... Similarly perhaps this helps deal with all the various region specifics should there ever be a refund/support/update/patch issue.

The game itself seems to run perfectly drm free with no license check or anything, you can make copies as you wish and use on any device? ... that's digital rights management free no?...

Instead of looking in your download folder your going to steam one the first time you download the game to then take it wherever you wish? ... is the extra step of deleting the dll even needed?

[BPzeBanshee]

Last time I didn't delete the DLL and then attempted to run the game it failed to load. The API has changed over the years though so perhaps the behaviour of it now is not the same as the older versions. I'd get rid of it to be safe.