cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/49721314
I just discovered this. Has anyone tried it?
Basically, you install it on your home server and use it to stash your DRM-free games, and then install the client on your PC, Steam Deck, whatever... log in to your server and just use it like your own, selfhosted Steam app. Any PC gamer already running Jellyfin, RomM, or other selfhosted entertainment-related server might be interested in trying it, if you do... please share your experience! I'll try it myself when I have time and post back here. If you know of any other alternatives, please share!
Self-hosted & open-source. Run Drop entirely on your own hardware. Your library, your data, your rules — all under the AGPLv3.
Rich metadata editing. Customise names, descriptions, and icons with full Markdown and image support.
Automatic imports. Pull cover art and game details straight from IGDB, GiantBomb, and PCGamingWiki.
A built-in store. Let users browse, filter, and collect games through a fully featured store.
Flexible authentication. Use simple accounts or hook into your existing SSO.
Native desktop client. Download, install, and play your whole library through a cross-platform desktop client.
Available for Windows, Mac & Linux (their web page lists a deb, their github repo publishes packages for all major distros and also an Appimage)
Website:
https://droposs.org/
They are saying there's option 1 and 2. 1 is, you copy the files to your local drive from the NAS via CLI/your file manager. Option 2 is you run this and download them via a Browser or Desktop Client. They are saying they don't see what utility Option 2 provides, and that it might be more sensible if the software where to also provide Game Streaming (game runs on server, a video stream is provided to the client, inputs are are streamed back to the server).
This make it more clear?
I feel like I'm missing something still. From my understanding just copying the file doesn't always work (unless it is an installer). So option 1 would still need more work? That's why my assumption goes to running the game directly off of the NAS
From my experience, you usually have a single executable inside the game folder. You'd of course have to point e.g. Lutris at that, but depending on how often you install/uninstall games, this isn't a huge hurdle.
Oh I know that to run it you only need a single executable. What I'm talking about is more like sometimes there's a registry that is needed somehow by the game (maybe a form of DRM since the installer asks for keys back then without internet). But then again, the last time I tried doing that is when copying data over CD/DVD was still a thing. I have no idea how modern games actually handle the registry now or if they are needed at all because I use steam and if anything is wrong with the game after reinstalling windows, they do some magic in the background to fix it.
As I said, as long as it's drm free, you usually just have the executable that just runs. Even under Windows, though I haven't run a game under Windows in years. The reference to Lutris was cause I assumed most people who'd consider self-hosting this would likely be running Linux anyway.
And this project is only targeting drm free games anyway.
I re-read the post and somehow missed the DRM free part so that is on me. Thanks, yeah I can see why someone would be confused by this. Still I think it has merit because of the possible metadata in addition to the game itself