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[jshackles]

GOG is getting acquired by its original co-founder: What it means for you | GOG.COM

Hey everyone, GOG Team here.

www.gog.com

We believe the games that shaped us deserve to stay alive: easy to find, buy, download, and play forever. But time is annoyingly good at erasing them. Rights get tangled, compatibility breaks, builds disappear, and a nostalgic evening often turns into a troubleshooting session. That's the difference between "I'm playing today" (the game lives on) and "I'll play someday" (the game dies).

As Michał put it: "GOG stands for freedom, independence, and genuine control."

GOG has always been built on strong values and clear principles. When Marcin Iwiński and Michał Kiciński first came up with the idea for GOG in 2007, the vision was simple: bring classic games back to players, and make sure that once you buy a game, it truly belongs to you, forever. In a market increasingly defined by mandatory clients and closed ecosystems, that philosophy feels more relevant than ever.

This new chapter is about doubling down on that vision. We want to do more to preserve the classics of the past, celebrate standout games of today, and help shape the classics of tomorrow, including new games with real retro spirit.

GOG will remain independent in its operations. We will continue building a platform that's ethical, non-predatory, and made to last, while helping indie developers reach the world. We're also committed to giving the community a stronger voice, with new initiatives planned for 2026.

 

[Darkmakaimura]

Love that GOG.

 

[JimmyRustler]

So both Steam and GoG are now privately owned? Awesome.

 

[jshackles]

I guess I assumed that for the last few decades GOG has been getting its operating budget from CDPR's game sales rather than from its own operations, but this news seems to tell another story. Which is great.

 

[Alexios]

No more backing from a big successful company because they don't even consider it worthwhile anymore so they let the guy with lower aspirations have it huh. Hope it works out.

 

[jshackles]

Here is CD PROJECKT's take

CD PROJEKT co-founder Michał Kiciński acquires GOG from CD PROJEKT - CD PROJEKT

Michał Kiciński, co-founder of CD PROJEKT and one of its major shareholders, has acquired 100% of the shares in GOG, formerly part of the CD PROJEKT Group. GOG is the leading DRM-free games digital distribution

www.cdprojekt.com

 

[memoryman3]

So both Steam and GoG are now privately owned? Awesome.

EGS is too. Epic is a private company with Tim Sweeney as the controlling shareholder.

 

[John Bilbo]

I really hope this works out for them.

 

[Killer8]

GoG isn't going to last more than 5 more years. Backup your games now. In terms of their financials and now what looks like CDPR shifting dead weight, the writing is on the wall.

 

[xanaum]

EGS is too. Epic is a private company with Tim Sweeney as the controlling shareholder.

Even though that guy owns the biggest share and is the "controlling" one, the rest of the company is split into shares. For example, the Chinese company Tencent owns around 40% of Epic Games, which is a huge chunk and can definitely influence decisions at the shareholders board. Even Sony owns a stake in Epic too.

 

[Kadve]

Even though that guy owns the biggest share and is the "controlling" one, the rest of the company is split into shares. For example, the Chinese company Tencent owns around 40% of Epic Games, which is a huge chunk and can definitely influence decisions at the shareholders board. Even Sony owns a stake in Epic too.

They are still considered a Private company. Their shares aren't available on the open market.

 

[Astray]

GoG isn't going to last more than 5 more years. Backup your games now. In terms of their financials and now what looks like CDPR shifting dead weight, the writing is on the wall.

They would have just closed it down if that was the case.

My guess is he wants to keep it going and maybe invest money into it, and they don't, hence the share sale.

 

[Mr Hyde]

I love GoG and want to support it but since I switched to SteamOS I'm pretty much Steam exclusive. It's such a hassle with GoG launching through Heroic I just don't bother with it. Would be cool if GoG somehow got native Linux support or integrated better with Steam somehow.

 

[Griffon]

I love GoG and want to support it but since I switched to SteamOS I'm pretty much Steam exclusive. It's such a hassle with GoG launching through Heroic I just don't bother with it. Would be cool if GoG somehow got native Linux support or integrated better with Steam somehow.

You're aware that heroic generates Steam shortcuts for you games aren't you?

 

[memoryman3]

GoG isn't going to last more than 5 more years. Backup your games now. In terms of their financials and now what looks like CDPR shifting dead weight, the writing is on the wall.

This is why the Steam monopoly is awful for developers and gamers. No room for alternative storefronts with better deals or valiant mission statements. I really hope that someday library management at least moves away from the storefronts and installing/downloading games is seamless no matter which storefront you buy from.

 

[Mr Hyde]

You're aware that heroic generates Steam shortcuts for you games aren't you?

Yes, but so far my GoG library has been very hit or miss in terms of working as intended, so I stopped using it.

 

[justiceiro]

Probably delaying the inevitable, but still better than the alternative.

 

[JimmyRustler]

GoG isn't going to last more than 5 more years. Backup your games now. In terms of their financials and now what looks like CDPR shifting dead weight, the writing is on the wall.

I swear I read the same thing already a couple of years ago.

 

[simpatico]

Love GOG but I wouldn't invest a dime in them.

 

[wipeout364]

This is why the Steam monopoly is awful for developers and gamers. No room for alternative storefronts with better deals or valiant mission statements. I really hope that someday library management at least moves away from the storefronts and installing/downloading games is seamless no matter which storefront you buy from.

100% we are creating a really bad situation here with Steam. At some point Steam is going to be acquired and things will turn pretty nasty.

That's why I have never understood the hate for other store fronts. I love Steam but I have no problem buying from other distributors and everyone should make a point of supporting other store fronts to keep Steam Honest.

 

[BennyBlanco]

I knew them openly asking for money wasn't a good sign but at least it's in good hands. GoG always seemed like something they were doing just because they felt it needed to be done and not because it was gonna make them rich. Any game that is available on both GoG and Steam I usually get the GoG version.