Dead State Post-funding Update #37: DRM-Free and Steam Copies

Going by the latest post-funding update for the zombie RPG, Steam keys will be the default distribution method for the title, and the only way to opt for a DRM-free copy of the title is to contact them directly, assuming you haven’t already ordered a physical copy of the game. Unfortunately, getting a Steam key for the title is the only way to play the “First Seven Days” demo, which will be only be released on Steam’s Early Access program. That said, DoubleBear hopes to convince you to give Valve’s service a try:

I know there are many arguments about DRM and Steam, but here’s why we are distributing the Early Access demo through Steam.

-Aside from activation on Steam, there is NO DRM added to Dead State if you have it installed on Steam, that’s it and there is no further authentication.

-Steam is the largest PC distribution platform in the world most of our backers already have it installed or have asked us to release the game on Steam.

-Releasing on Steam saves us money on hosting the game privately, which is money we can use on production and that’s a pretty big factor for us.

-Steam activation is instant and we don’t have to worry about server overload or technical issues on our end.

-Backers who bought physical rewards such as the USB or box will be receiving copies of the game on physical media.

-We will most likely be releasing any expanded content we release on Steam first.

-Valve has made it clear that should anything ever happen to Steam, your copies will still be playable at least, we guarantee we will make Dead State available should anything happen to Steam, barring any kind of robo-apocalypse where our machine masters forbid it.

(DRM) and (Steam) are trigger words for a large amount of PC gamers, but before you get outraged, note that we WILL have an option to download the full game (without the Early Access demo) eventually, but that Steam is going to be the fastest way to get your hands on the game. I highly advise anyone who is worried about Steam activation to read up on the latest information on the service. I have probably lost more physical media over the years and personally use Steam for most of my collection. We have not signed any agreements with any other distribution services yet, so please don’t ask us if we can activate your copy on another service we don’t have that information yet and we won’t know until closer to release.