I must confess, I'm getting used to it.

Hardly ever touch my directory with the links anymore.

Hi,

I've been curous about these offline installers for a while. Your pic says that it downloads game files only- how does that work? Is the whole game contained in this installer or does the installer get it from somewhere else? Reason I'm asking is in case for whatever reason I don't have internet connection can I just click on that and have it install the whole game?

You have to download the offline installers.
It's either one .exe file, or one .exe file and (several) .bin files.

You store these files on your HDD and then install the game using those files (double-clicking on the .exe file).

As long as you don't delete these files from your HDD, you can install the game(s) again and again without having to re-download.

Yes, offline installers don't require an Internet connection, hence the name. Nothing further game content needs to be downloaded and there's no sort of activation check either. See the support article How do I download my purchased items? for a short animated GIF of the download and installation.

That is exactly what it means, yes. When you download the offline installers (sometimes multiple files depending on the size of the game) you have the entire game self contained there. No internet connection needed to install. This used to be the only way GOG distributed their games, before they released Galaxy and started calling these "backups".

I use galaxy and usually works pretty well, but you may use site to download the installers.

Hiya,

Thank you BreOl72, Ice_Mage, and catte, I was just a little confused because of the wording because in Catte's photo it said 'Download game files only' lol. I think I will make use out of these installers though for some of my games so thanks :) .

What I've been doing for a while now is just downloading the game regularly and then backing up the full game (or in some cases where the majority of data/biggest folder is in the game folder) on a seperate HDD, but I think the offline installers will still come in handy.

The Galaxy installer is downloaded using a link that pretends to be a download link the game itself. Then the downloaded installer even includes to name of the game to ensure the user do not realize their mistake until it is too late.

It is at best a dark pattern used to trick users who never wanted to use Galaxy in the first place.

I've been saying this for years, the way the offline installers page is carefull setup (wich is not by chance) speaks volumes about GOG itself.

And this is supplemented by the deterring description of the offline installers:
"Download game files only." [falsely implying there might be something missing]
"Useful if you anticipate limited internet access, or want to have a backup." [failing to mention that they are also useful if you just want to install and play the game]
"These installers don't support auto-updating, nor on-line features." [tellingly omitting "nor DRM"]

Clearly it speaks volumes when GOG could more directly have two CLEAR options:
1. Download & install via GOG Galaxy, our optional client
2. Download & install via Offline (full) Installer files

The word Backup is the first red flag: GOG already regards offline installers as a backup option rather than a primary. The fact they emblazon the product page with the DOWNLOAD AND INSTALL NOW button at the top is the second red flag: they again consider Galaxy as the preferred means of installing the game. Then they hide the offline installers under a drop box and don't go to the effort of catching your eyes with it.

Ergo: GOG wants customers to use Galaxy. And for those who refuse to read the page correctly, nor research how this platform delivers its content even at the most basic level first will gravitate towards clicking anything large, colourful and showy if it tells them to.

I always advocate for new users to claim one of the always free games first and work out how this place works before they buy anything. You should only fish out your credit card once you're familiar with any platform or website, if only as a trust concern.

Man, I remember clicking on links in a browser which open installers automatically was a risk you should weigh carefully. But I suppose those days are over now. I feel old.

I figure most PC users know what a game installer does. But I'm probably wrong.

You'd be surprised how many are skill-locked to using browsers to directly start installations, and need apps to install other stuff.

To some people even launching a game directly via the exe is considered techo-voodoo. Some even have trouble finding where the game got installed. Even the difference in their minds of "download" vs "install" is difficult to comprehend.

Dat's 'cause Ah cain't put muh frisbee in da beer holder no more and click instawl.

Steam and Galaxy users are never presented with game installers. While both Valve and GOG try to trick them into believing game installers are a thing of the past.