How to download non-DRM version of game from Steam to run in WINE?
I just purchased a turn-based game which is only supported on Windows (it’s Cogmind, if relevant). Since I’m on macOS, the game won’t download when I click “Install Game...”:
An error occurred while updating Cogmind: Invalid platform
While this game doesn’t officially support my operating system, its community has figured out a way to run it through Wine. Also, it’s worth-noting that running the game this way is actually encouraged by the developer.
Is it possible to download the non-DRM version of the game with the Steam client?
Best Answer
For some games you can just copy files, but some require Steam for at least some functionality (friend list, server list etc.)
Cogmind uses SteamCloud to backup your saved games and for global High Scores list.
Also, Steam detects WINE as WINE, not as Windows. They specifically made it to also count users on MacOS/Linux who use WINE.
You should run Steam on WINE instead. That way there are less things that can go wrong, and better chances that everything works as intended.
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Can you remove DRM from Steam games?
Steamless is a DRM remover of the various SteamStub variants applied to applications and games released on Steam via the DRM tool in the Steamworks SDK. Steamless aims to be a single solution for unpacking all variants of the SteamStub DRM, ranging from the very first version to the most recently released.Can Steam games run on wine?
Games on Steam that work well with WINE, the free compatibility layer that allows users on Linux, Mac and BSD to run windows applications.How do I run a non-Steam game on a steam deck?
Go to the Library > Add a Game in the lower-left corner of the program. Click Add a Non-Steam Game, and select any installed Linux software on the list. The software will appear in SteamOS under Non-Steam Games.How do I make Steam games DRM-free?
GOG has launched GOG Connect, a program that allows users to add DRM-free versions of some previously purchased Steam games to their GOG libraries at no extra cost. To transfer games, you have to install GOG Connect, connect your Steam account, and let the app do the rest.Steam Itself Is Not DRM
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Answer 2
Is it possible to download the non-DRM version of the game with the Steam client?
Define what you understand by "non-DRM'. If a game is inherently DRM-free (see here), you can download the DRM-free version from Steam; it will be put into your steamapps/common dir - you can copy/move it out of there if you wish (note the possible caveats).
If the game is DRM-protected and the license allows for DRM-free use of the game or you don't care about fine legal aspects of the situation and just want to play the game you already bought (again, caveats), you may (with very high likelihood) succeed by using a cracked steam_api.dll or its derivatives/substitutes. I won't provide the exact links for the obvious reasons (a quick Google search for e.g. "how to crack steam MPGH" or "steam emulator" can lead your way), but the generic steam_api crack allows to use many (if not most) games in a DRM-free way. Note that you will have the exact Steam version of the game (updates, virus-free etc.), but you won't have access to Steam-related features (friends, achievements etc.); it's arguable whether this can be called "DRM-free version", but it most certainly will be downloaded from Steam.
Alternatively, just use your Steam on WINE. (caveats, yet again!)
NOTE: I don't condone piracy (copyright abuse/software theft) in any way. I, however, argue that a user has the right to break licensing terms (EULA) of the software he can legally use (bought/paid for or received free of charge) if they are exceedingly prohibitive (because that is the usual court ruling in such cases, both in EU and some US states) - the worst legal implication here is that the license may get revoked by the issuer (in this case, you may legally get banned from Steam for circumventing its protection). I assume that's a call everyone should consider by themselves.
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