ShinyLoot Launching With 300+ Game Sales

[Cognimancer]

ShinyLoot Launching With 300+ Game Sales

ShinyLoot is hitting the ground running with a library of DRM-free games and more discounts than you can shake a serial key at.

Back in June, a new challenger arrived on the digital distribution scene [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/124669-ShinyLoot-Offers-DRM-Free-Catalogue-of-Indie-Games] with the goal of fighting DRM and supporting indie titles. ShinyLoot, as the site was dubbed, entered an open beta with 325 games, many of which include activation keys for Steam and Desura. Now the site is preparing for the official grand opening on August 26, sporting over 400 games and a six week chain of sales.

Discount-oriented gamers will be interested in the site's launch for the sales, if nothing else. The majority of the ShinyLoot library will be available on the cheap at some point in the six week event, ranging from half-price weekly sales to at least 80% off daily deals. These sales will run until October 6, but expect plenty of new deals in the coming months as the site grows.

ShinyLoot aims to put indie titles and major releases on an even playing field by avoiding the modern bias towards flashy blockbuster games. The site foregoes a traditional front page in favor of a powerful search tool that organizes games by over a hundred "traits" such as Tower Defense and Rogue-like. Every game on the site is distributed without a mandatory client or any obtrusive DRM.

The ShinyLoot store is available in its beta form now [http://www.shinyloot.com/], but check back on August 26 to take part in the big launch and claim some of those sweet sales for yourself.

Permalink

 

[Erttheking]

Hello there, when did you come in? Seriously when did this happen? I think I'll check this place out.

 

[Braedan]

Wait...

325 games, many of which include activation keys for Steam and Desura.

and then...

Every game on the site is distributed without a mandatory client or any obtrusive DRM.

I confuse.

I like Steam, but it IS a client...

 

[Icehearted]

Wait...

325 games, many of which include activation keys for Steam and Desura.

and then...

Every game on the site is distributed without a mandatory client or any obtrusive DRM.

I confuse.

I like Steam, but it IS a client...

Maybe it's both, for people that prefer a Steam client as opposed to this model. That was my impression anyway. Another user here got downright hostile with me because I didn't agree that Steam was okay and that I preferred GOG, stating that he preferred the convenience the Steam client offers. I'm speculating, but that could be the case here.

Edit: poodoo-flagnabbed-typo-wubba-wubba :/

 

[Vrach]

Wait...

325 games, many of which include activation keys for Steam and Desura.

and then...

Every game on the site is distributed without a mandatory client or any obtrusive DRM.

I confuse.

I like Steam, but it IS a client...

Maybe it's both, for people that prefer a Steam client as opposed to this model. That was my impression anyway. Another user here got downright hostile with me because I didn't agree that Steam was okay and that I preferred GOG, stating that he preferred the convenience the Steam client offers. I'm speculating, but that could be the case here.

Edit: poodoo-flagnabbed-typo-wubba-wubba :/

Could be, Humble Bundle often has that thing going (can get Steam keys or download the game straight from them... or both). But I have to say, I was thinking the same thing as Icehearted. Clarification, mayhaps?

 

[viranimus]

Yes, the Steam/Desura/no client thing is not that hard to grasp. All games are DRM free, but many also include keys for those clients they are on for those who would rather keep them locked in those clients.

As for the site.. HOORAY! Another game outlet for me to keep tabs on so I can continue hoarding games instead of playing them

Honestly in my exploration of it, I saw a LOT of overlap between GOG, Groupees, Desura, IGS, etc libraries. Not a complaint, more sources are good. I would like to see more of a breakthrough with this type of site might help to ween some of the big guns away from their DRM teet and even maybe someday even manage to get Bethesda to release something NOT on steam.

 

[frobalt]

Wait...

325 games, many of which include activation keys for Steam and Desura.

and then...

Every game on the site is distributed without a mandatory client or any obtrusive DRM.

I confuse.

I like Steam, but it IS a client...

They aren't contradicting statements. It could be that you're given a choice of installing it on your computer yourself or activating the key on steam. Of course, I'm just speculating.

It will be interesting to see how this DRM free thing goes. I wouldn't be surprised if most of the games on that site that are DRM free have small sales figures and high piracy rates. That's just because I have no faith in our species anymore. Unfortunately, some people think they can justify pirating games.

 

[ChrisatShinyLoot]

Yes, the Steam/Desura/no client thing is not that hard to grasp. All games are DRM free, but many also include keys for those clients they are on for those who would rather keep them locked in those clients.

As for the site.. HOORAY! Another game outlet for me to keep tabs on so I can continue hoarding games instead of playing them

Honestly in my exploration of it, I saw a LOT of overlap between GOG, Groupees, Desura, IGS, etc libraries. Not a complaint, more sources are good. I would like to see more of a breakthrough with this type of site might help to ween some of the big guns away from their DRM teet and even maybe someday even manage to get Bethesda to release something NOT on steam.

Hey guys - Chris from ShinyLoot here. viranimus is spot on. Every game at ShinyLoot is either DRM-free or requires a one time key activation. In addition to that, some games also come with a Steam or Desura key in case you want to keep your games managed there. Keep in mind we do offer our own download manager and while it doesn't autopatch it may help you keep track of everything.

As far as DRM-free Bethesda games...something like that's much more likely to happen once we have the sales figures to showcase why they should they consider such a decision. For now we'll happily support these awesome but lesser known indie titles who love supporting DRM-free software!

 

[viranimus]

Every game at ShinyLoot is either DRM-free or requires a one time key activation. In addition to that, some games also come with a Steam or Desura key in case you want to keep your games managed there. Keep in mind we do offer our own download manager and while it doesn't autopatch it may help you keep track of everything.

As far as DRM-free Bethesda games...something like that's much more likely to happen once we have the sales figures to showcase why they should they consider such a decision. For now we'll happily support these awesome but lesser known indie titles who love supporting DRM-free software!

Ty. Also to kind of bump this and ask for legitimate clarification. When you say "Requires a one time key" does that point to "CD Key during installation" type, the "MMO-type key tied to subscription account" type or combination of both?

On Bethesda, I just referenced them simply out of their sort of implied or maybe actual exclusivity arrangement with Steam as well as them being oddly one of the few big names out there who does not utilize DRM free for their old catalog outside of a few rare cases of TES titles being labeled freeware, but does not re-release most of their old catalog for digital distribution platforms. So a DRM free company managing to get bethesda to resell anything in DRM format would practically be like pulling the sword from the DRM stone. A lofty goal indeed, but definitely worth any DRM free merchant shooting for. Hopefully one day thanks to these kinds of endeavors DRM will be like a scary story older generations tell to frighten those who never had to endure it. One can dream =)

 

[ChrisatShinyLoot]

It's a CD Key during installation or the first launch of the game for single player. For multiplayer games it may (or will likely) check the key when doing any type of multiplayer activity. Let me know if you have any other questions!

Sorry it took a while to get back to you.