SoylentNews

wantkitteh writes:

GOG have opened sign-ups for the open beta of their Galaxy digital game distribution platform, currently live on Windows and Mac OS X with a Linux version expected at some unspecified point in the future. The client allows for the purchase, download and launch of a broad selection of DRM-free titles, specializing in older games with the necessary emulation or compatibility baked into the installation. While comparisons with Steam, Uplay and Origin are inevitable, the DRM-free nature of GOG's offering is likely to be a major selling point for many. Almost all the features 'expected' of a digital game distribution platform are in place; chat, auto-updates, matchmaking, achievements and time tracking. Some are still in development, like in-game overlays, but others are somewhat unexpected; auto-updates are optional and will be capable of being rolled-back in the future, interoperability between Steam and GOG allows their clients to launch games from both of a user's libraries, and the entire platform is itself optional - with no plans to withdraw the DRM download service they already provide, GOG specifically state that "the [Galaxy] Client will never be mandatory".

I'm personally intrigued by the delays to the Linux client. Given that SteamOS is Debian based, that Valve have invited other digital download platforms to participate in the project and that there appears to be close integration between Steam and GOG libraries, could a SteamOS version of GOG's Galaxy be in the making here? It certainly makes sense, expanding the audience for GOG and the catalog for SteamOS, but I guess we'll just have to wait and see. With fingers crossed.