Steam Version Issues

Bugs
#1

I was told when I backed the game that I would be provided a non-steam copy. I later found I was lied to and I do not think that i will get to see my money back, but I still want my video game. I would rather not sue WS for this as that would just suck.

So on the Steam version. I do not want maleware on my computer collecting and selling my data. Furthermore I want a full game not a rental that I cannot play unless I am specifically on a computer that is bogged down by maleware (steam).

How can I download and install the Steam Version without installing Steam? Or is this not possible? If it is not possible then where can obtain a copy of the rental agreement for this game since war horse is only providing a DRM locked rental to their backers that requires maleware specifically designed to harvest user data to run rather than a full game which I can install directly like we use to in the 90s?

I wrote them as little as a week before launch and was told by Christian that there would be a non-steam version made available to me. and two other times prior three times since 2015. So far I’ve been ignored when sending in support request so I just want to know if I am getting what I paid for or not.

#2

Well steam Is not malware so problem solved.

I think you need to look up what malware really is.

1 Like
#3

People’s kids

#4

Spyware is a type of maleware. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spyware
Steam monitors your actions, collects that data, and then collates it for sale. It is in the Terms and Conditions. So yes, yes Steam is very much Maleware.

Now about getting what I paid for or a work around to get the game without installing Steam.

#5

Hey, almost every MMO does that, look at Black Desert Online… and even if they did collect data, they can’t use it if it’s not in EULA and you can sue them if they do. win-win situation!

#6

Just because everyone does it does not mean that it isn’t Spyware coupled with Ransomeware since it will prevent you from utilizing software that was purchased separately without submitting to paying a ransome i.e. your data.

So any suggestions on how to download it and install it without Steam or am I being robbed?

P.S. The first Paragraph of their privacy agreement specifically tells you they are collecting data to sell. So actually no they can use it and have been according to the EULA.

#7

heyden… do you live under a bridge?

#8

No, I just have principles and I am attempting to be a little discerning during an age when data theft is a huge issue that has been directly linked to various forms of Identity Theft. Especially since there are other services out there which off the same thing without the data theft, which is what I was told I would receive KDC through only a week prior to release.

Again, any suggestions on how to download it and install it without Steam or am I being robbed?

#9

You have to wait for the GoG version, whenever that may be, since you’re so against Steam.

#10

Steam collects data, it’s true, all the people that purchased something have their credit cards saved within their database, incase of a refund or in case of legal action but those can’t be touched for any other purpose as it would break privacy laws and EULA.
The only way fat Gaben has to collect your money is through Steam sales and he doesn’t do it that well as of late!

#11

Just to reply to StrikeQ first - I’ve been trying to get a GOG version, but they gave all the backers Steam versions and Support stopped answering. Pretty much their reply why a “fuck off” or at least that is how it read to me. I don’t really want to believe that is the case though. I mean since I do not use Steam I look for game Devs and I follow those companies. I was really happy to find Warhorse because yeah maybe they were not the fastest or whatever but they seemed nice and pretty communicative. Now once it comes time to get my game I am seeing another side. I mean if they could just let me know one way or another or let me know that I’ll get a GOG version once ready then I really do not have any issue waiting.

Now to Eesti - Actually no, they collect your subscriptions, the mods you download, post in the community, click time between items in the store etc. Its in the Privacy Agreement. They do agree to encrypt your Steam Account name so that all the data is private, but you are according to the PA provided an Identifying Number (which may remove the privacy) for all the data that Steam collects. Where as they say that they mainly provide all that data only to devs, merchandisers, payment facilitators, and other affiliate second hand parties they do reserve the right to release your data to third partys. Furthermore anything on Steam, in Steam, or related to Steam which is given to them by a third party such as a link or an image that can be clicked on allows that third party to under the Steam PA freely collect whatever data they want from you.

I really just feel much safer knowing that the only thing the vendor would get out of this is my payment info or whatever they can collect only when I am online, but Steam is installed locally and again in the PA it can collect local aggregate data from your machine for those other parties. Gotta be wise in the Information Age or some game company might get you to inadvertently sign away your rights.

#12

You will lose that lawsuit in a heartbeat. You’re grasping at straws, and trying far too hard to raise a stink. By all means, if you aren’t a terrible troll, waste your money in court. insert eye roll here

#13

Just let him do what he wants, it’s his life afterall, for all I know, surfing any page without a VPN could lead to data leaks like an user’s location but w/e.
Beg for a physical copy or just ask for a refund and wait till GOG opens up.

#14

Yeah, that is what I figured. Probably SOL, which really sucks because I was excited to have a new game studio to follow and buy games from. Who knows maybe Christian read all this and will get me my copy on GOG or a physical one if they want to ship it and then this won’t even be an issue.

As I said I bought the game because I thought the Game Studio was full of cool people. It was actually one of the videos where they were telling us the backers the games was going to be delayed that got me. You could tell in the video that the news was bad and Daniel understood that but he told everyone it was going to be delayed in a rather authentic manner. I was enduring so I bought the game.

So as far as law suites are concerned I hope it does not have to go that far.

#15

If you bought the game after Warhorse announced the game would be delayed, you would’ve had knowledge that the game would be released through Steam.

#16

@heydan
Running a steam game without steam is possible, although you should check your local laws for legality. Kingdom Come seems to have a low degree of steam integration, so you can probably do it in only a few steps. If it uses more complex DRM or relies heavily on steam’s API to function properly it would be more difficult.

  1. Create a new partition of windows and a throwaway steam account. Make sure neither contain any data you don’t want valve to obtain.
  2. Install steam on your new partition.
  3. Register and download KCD.
  4. Either download a cracked steam_api64.dll for some other steam game or patch our the DRM yourself with dotpeek. You’ll have to look elsewhere for further data on this step as the specific methods could be used for piracy and are illegal in some jurisdictions.
  5. Place the patched steam_api64.dll into the Bin/Win64Shared folder in your KCD directory.
  6. Transfer the entire KCD directory into your original partition and run the executable.

If the DRM was successfully removed the game will run normally. If not, it will give an error but will not run steam. Your computer will be safe from spyware unless KCD itself is doing the snooping.

Note: You will need to repeat this process with every update, although you can probably reuse the .dll. Also, if you get a 2 way firewall you can simply block steam from accessing the info collection servers.

#17

File a support ticket and ask for the gog version. As long as you haven’t used your steam key yet, you may have some luck.

Is this legal?
#18

Hmmm, dotpeek is just a .Net Compiler right? I think I could get the dll, but considering what the dll is for that would be risky… Although probably the easier route. If they do not give me a GOG version I may try that. Thanks!

#19

And CE - No, this was when it was being delayed a couple years back. Not the most recent delay. The game was three years behind schedule as it was originally due to be released in December 2015 which is when I bought it after that first video. At that point they had not even added the Steam logo to the game on the website and I 100% made sure I was going to purchase a non-Steam game before making the purchase.

#20

@heydan
Yep, dotpeek just decompiles .net code. If KCD uses the simplest form of steam DRM it simply makes a call to the steam API (steam_api64.dll) to ensure steam is running. Since, IIRC, the steam API is in .net you can patch it using dotpeek. The alternative is to find a malware free cracked dll for another game and hope that works.

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