Thank you for the DRM removal patch, Lar. If all companies did this I would never complain about DRM again.

Darkling, if you care so much about DRM why did you buy it on Steam in the first place?

StingingVelvet: Steam isn't DRM, in itself. It's a client that accesses a database of game data. Whether or not the game has any DRM is up to the developer/publisher/whoever is in charge of that. Not Valve, unless of course its their game. This is proven by there being no Steam hooks in Divinity 2. The version you purchase on there is not linked to the Steam client, you can run it with Steam closed, no problem. It's been that way for as long as I've owned the game, so I don't really even know what you're talking about. Also, you should show more respect to one of your beloved companies digital distribution channels. You do realize front page ads on Steam helped push this game into the North American gamers view in a way the lack of coverage by the gaming press never did.

What bothers me is that the very day Larian announces a patch to remove DRM, my game is de-activated by Securom. For no apparent reason. One of the value added features of Steam is automatic and invisible downloading and installation of patches. I expected when Larian did this, they would have pushed it through their digital distributors. I'm disappointed they didn't. I hope the slightly better position I'd hope Divinity 2's success has left them in gives them some more say in packaged DRM in the future. :P

Sorry for ruffling feathers. But I still have a question: Is this patch being pushed through Steam at some point? It really should. Securom is the worst.

I have a Non-Steam version of DKS [from Amazon download]. Yep, new replacements EXE runs fine here.

Are Steam owners of DKS going to get the new NO DRM EXE issued to them directly through Steam?

I expected when Larian did this, they would have pushed it through their digital distributors. I'm disappointed they didn't.

The publishers allowing DRM removal doesn't necessarily mean they are inclined to actively test / promote / distribute the patch themselves. You'd think customer service would encourage them to do so awhile after a game's release, though (or at least as the game price drops that DRM related support would not be worth it for the minor amount of pirating it prevents).

Steam has their own patch release process. If they do add the DRM free executable to automatic updates, there will be a bit of a delay before they can do so (as there was with the patch).

That is not what they said. They said they would provide a patch that would work with the steam version. I believe you still have to download and install it manually.

Raze is correct. We have distributed the patch to Steam through Focus and I expect it'll be online somewhere next week, so you don't need to apply the DRM patch to the Steam version. It'll happen automatically.

AWESOME news. EVERYBODY Wins!

Everybody support Larian and get DKS Edition, if you haven't already.

There is NO reason to miss out on this game, given the DRM-Free EXE is out for download and that Larian is bringing it as an update for Steam version of the game!

You need to activate with Valve when installing Steam games, which is DRM. Any time you need to ask company permission to install your game and get it functional that is DRM.

DRM does not only mean activation limits.

So with this DRM removal patch:
Does it mean I can install DKS on any computer (I have the physical DVD copy of the game) , update it to the latest patch (I have it saved in my external hard drive) and then change the original game EXE file with the DRM removal one, and play the game without EVER having connected to the internet to activate the game?
If so GREAT!

Correct me if I am wrong, but to my understanding this is what is possible with this DRM removal EXE file.

p.s. When will Divinity II: Ego Draconis have it's DRM removed also as this only applies to DKS, right?

Great news! Gonna pick up the game now.

Physical copies here:
Click here!

@whoever wants to play the Steam version of the game DRM-free and can't wait until the automatic patch is available:
* Simply replace the .exe and run the .exe from the installed directory (default is: C:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\common\divinity ii - dragon knight saga\bin)

@darkling: you can't use the steam client to run a "changed" .exe. If you replace the .exe and then try to launch the game via Steam, it's not going to work. Running it directly from the installed directory should work just fine as it is not linked to securom or steam in any way.

If you don't want to play around with .exe's on Steam, it's best to simply wait until the DRM-free patch is available on Steam via automatic update.

1) Yes
2) There are currently no plans to remove Ego Draconis DRM due to a number of possible issues

To extrapolate on those issues - they are contractual ones

A bit of offtopic, but in the light of latest release spree... any word on savegames coveter?

You still haven't distributed the patch via Steam. What's the hold up? You or Focus?

It's Steam that takes some time to validate the patch.

Jesus Christ I can't type. i meant the "Savegames converter", from D2 to DKS.

Is the patch also valid for the German version?

Yes! Works without a hitch.