"No-Steam" versions typically cannot join official Valve servers and rely on specific IP addresses or third-party launchers to connect with others.
These releases generally consist of a base game (around 17–25 GB) and require manual updates or "online fixes" to enable multiplayer functionality outside of the official Valve network. Key Risks and Considerations
: Unofficial multiplayer servers for non-Steam versions may leak your IP address or expose you to DDoS attacks.