Can I get a DRM free copy if I buy a Steam copy?

[Berious]

I'd like to have a DRM free copy for easier version control for outdated mods and a Steam copy for the social stuff and Steam Workshop access.  Is there a way to do this now without buying the game twice?  I can understand they want to limit the free Steam keys if people are flipping them, but giving us access to a DRM free copy wouldn't have that issue as long as you can confirm we bought a copy on Steam.

[Calahan]

In a recent blog post...

https://ludeon.com/blog/2016/07/steam-key-giving-stopped-for-new-buyers/

... someone called wocabec posted in the comments section on July 18th to ask Tynan:-
- "Is there the possibility in the future to get the drm-free version on website if you bought on Steam"

Tynan's reply an hour later was:-
- "wocabec – sorry, no"


I doubt this has changed in the past eight days. (Edit - obviously I do not know if this will change in the future).

[SpaceDorf]

I think this could be more of an legal issue than an technical one.

Also Ludeon gets all of the price if you buy directly from them. So DRM-Free would be great feature to still promote buying from the website.

[Berious]

That's a shame.  Thanks for the info though!

[mharmless]

I have the same desire and made an account specifically just to post/ask about this. Been following the game for awhile, and had resolved to buy it (from the site) once it had the steam release. My goals were the same as the OP; social stuff from steam, mod freedom from DRM free version. Generally prefer to buy from individual stores or humble store to get that combo of DRM free and steam.

Does the steam version of the game actually use steam's DRM? Are we able to copy the game out of the steam folder and run it without steam?

Some games, notably most Paradox games, let you roll back to multiple major patch levels via steam's beta system. Does Rimworld do this on steam, so we can hop back a couple for mod use?

If buying the DRM free version instead, are there multiple old versions to pick from for mod support?

My understanding is that the steam key for buying here was shut down due to people reselling the steam keys? Are there plans to 'link' to a steam account at some point in the future to avoid that, while still allowing the steam-social drmfree-mods split use case?

Thank you,
MHarmless

[BlackSmokeDMax]

I have the same desire and made an account specifically just to post/ask about this. Been following the game for awhile, and had resolved to buy it (from the site) once it had the steam release. My goals were the same as the OP; social stuff from steam, mod freedom from DRM free version. Generally prefer to buy from individual stores or humble store to get that combo of DRM free and steam.

Does the steam version of the game actually use steam's DRM? Are we able to copy the game out of the steam folder and run it without steam?

Some games, notably most Paradox games, let you roll back to multiple major patch levels via steam's beta system. Does Rimworld do this on steam, so we can hop back a couple for mod use?

If buying the DRM free version instead, are there multiple old versions to pick from for mod support?

My understanding is that the steam key for buying here was shut down due to people reselling the steam keys? Are there plans to 'link' to a steam account at some point in the future to avoid that, while still allowing the steam-social drmfree-mods split use case?

Thank you,
MHarmless

I know someone said you can't use the Steam version in any way other than through Steam, but I haven't personally tried that.

As far as previous versions:
Via steam: Right now, there is a way to go back to build A14d (currently A14e) via the beta system. I don't know if that will continue to happen or if this is a one time thing.
Via website purchase: There is no way to download previous versions. As new version come out, you can archive and run whichever one you want, but as soon as a new version comes out, access to previous version is gone.