GOG: Linux "the next major frontier" for gaming as it works on a native client

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

GOG’s “DRM‑free” Claim Under Scrutiny

  • Large subthread debates whether GOG is truly DRM‑free.
  • Critics point to games that:
    • Ship with mandatory Galaxy libraries (Galaxy64.dll/libgalaxy) that must be present even in “offline installers”.
    • Lock multiplayer or cosmetics behind Galaxy checks (e.g. examples like Grim Dawn, Gloomhaven).
    • Depend on GOG‑run servers for multiplayer or online unlocks.
  • Defenders argue:
    • Single‑player content is playable fully offline and network checks “fail open”, so it’s not classic DRM.
    • Galaxy‑only requirements are usually limited to multiplayer or cosmetic extras and sometimes just poor integration, not policy.
    • GOG’s hard line is “offline installer available”, but modern “live services” and account systems blur the DRM boundary.

DRM and Open Source

  • One side claims DRM “must” be closed‑source: if you can inspect the code, you can bypass checks or copy keys.
  • Another outlines TPM/secure‑enclave–based DRM where: payloads are encrypted to hardware keys and run inside encrypted memory. They argue this could be open source without making copying easier, albeit at the cost of user control.

Native Linux Client vs Existing Launchers (Heroic, Lutris, etc.)

  • Some want GOG to fund or contribute to Heroic or shared launcher protocols instead of “yet another client”, fearing fragmentation and loss of momentum for FOSS tools.
  • Others counter that:
    • GOG already has a mature C++ Galaxy codebase for Windows/macOS; porting it is cheaper and preserves UI, features, and control.
    • Fragmentation is intrinsic to Linux and also healthy competition; no obligation to adopt Heroic.
    • An official client may make more users comfortable buying on GOG, especially Deck/Linux switchers.

Steam, Proton, and the Role of GOG

  • Many credit Valve, Wine, DXVK, and Proton for making Linux gaming “just work”, including recent AAA titles; Steam no longer distinguishes Linux/Windows in UI.
  • Some worry Proton’s success makes native Linux ports less attractive to studios, though others note devs now at least test against Proton/Steam Deck.
  • General sentiment: GOG doesn’t need to “beat” Valve; it can ride these open‑source advances and offer DRM‑lighter competition.

Launchers, Tech Stack, and UX

  • Galaxy is C++ plus Chromium Embedded Framework, not Electron, but users still report lagginess and heavy resource use, especially under emulation on ARM Macs.
  • Split preferences:
    • Minimalists want plain installers, no client, to avoid bloat and preserve mod setups.
    • Others value launcher features: automatic updates, cloud saves, cross‑device sync, unified library view, controller‑friendly UI, and Galaxy’s cross‑store integration API.

Linux, Openness, and Future Risks

  • Debate over whether gamers actually care about openness vs just convenience and price.
  • Some argue Windows 11’s telemetry/AI push is driving genuine interest in Linux and user control.
  • Concerns raised about future anti‑cheat, secure boot, and software attestation making Linux/proton gaming harder if implemented in a hostile way.

Miscellaneous Points

  • Job ad salary for the Linux C++ role (~€50–77k in Poland) is seen as mid‑to‑high locally but low by US standards.
  • One commenter flags a past Galaxy privilege‑escalation CVE and GOG’s slow response as a reason to distrust the client.