Michał Kiciński, one of GOG’s (a digital game store) co-creators, has bought out the platform from CD Projekt RED. Kiciński proclaimed the move with the phrase “GOG is the provider of freedom, independence, and real control” after the acquisition really took place, thus, pointing the new way for the DRM-free outlet of being independent. This move is already setting off noises among gamers in regard to the future of digital game ownership and platform support in increasingly centralized markets.
If you are a person who really values owning the games he/she has paid for, then this is undoubtedly a very big news. GOG, initially Good Old Games, has been the underdog champion for such customers – no DRM, simply download the installer, and it’s yours. Forever. No permission from a launcher is required to play offline. Now, the co-founder is buying it back from CD Projekt Red, the one responsible for the development of The Witcher and Cyberpunk games, to name a few. And the first thing he does is shout out all about freedom. That is an ethical approach. Nevertheless, at the same time, one might wonder what I said?
Ah, the online gaming community is going absolutely CRAZY over this announcement. The tweet replies to the announcement read like a crazy mashup of excitement, disbelief, and total madness. Some gamers are very, very excited, including ‘shzhv13’ the user who said that quote “nails it” and that “GOG winning means more real ownership for players.” That is, in fact, what we all want, isn’t it? A retailer who values you as a customer rather than viewing you as a potential offender.
And yet… there is another group of people. Quite a few comments are simply advisories. Seriously, a lot of them. User ‘Metal_Dumbbell’ didn’t even extend his congratulations but simply advised: “If you don’t have the offline installers for your games, it would be better if you downloaded them now.” User ‘ThronglerX’ gave the same advice “Download your offline installers now, lads.” That is not really a sign of trust. It is like everyone is preparing for a digital apocalypse or the new owner turning off the switch and locking everything down. Nevertheless, given the promise of “genuine control,” it sounds ironic but gamers have been fooled before.
The skepticism extends beyond. A few individuals are doubtful about Kiciński’s ongoing connection with CDPR. User ‘Darkobsidion3’ was unequivocal: “I don’t trust him. He’s with CD project red.” This sparked a mini-discussion on whether the store can truly be independent. Others cited GOG’s recent announcement asking for voluntary user donations that some interpreted as financial weakness. Then there was the whole… other argument. A few users like ‘Roberto62990555’ hailed the abandonment of what they called “the woke garbage,” which triggered a strange crossfire of opinions regarding what games are “woke” (Yakuza??) that had nothing to do with DRM or ownership. Classic Twitter derailment.
We should also take into account the pragmatists. ‘CommodoreFan64’ more or less stated: “Show Me.” Their demand? A fully-functional, fully-featured GOG Galaxy client for Linux that does not depend on third-party workarounds. Their point is that – true freedom means access, and… for Linux gaming, it is difficult. Another user only wanted gift cards. These demands are very simple, but they reveal what a good store actually is.
So what does this mean for the player browsing through digital storefronts? It is a win in theory. An independent GOG store that strongly concentrates on the original mission of providing DRM-free gaming could very well become the powerful counterweight to the monopolistic power of Steam and the situation of exclusive titles rising in different launchers. The basic principle that – if you buy it, it is yours, no strings attached – is now more appealing than ever.
But the community’s response is a reminder that indeed trust is earned, not tweeted. Players have been conditioned to be wary, to back up their installers, and to watch for the slightest change in policy. The true test for Kiciński’s GOG will be in actions, not slogans: tending to the library, improving the client, and most importantly, keeping that holy DRM-free promise without any exception. If they can do that, independence might just be the start of a new, stronger era for one of the most player-friendly platforms in gaming. The ball is in their court and a huge number of gamers are watching, offline installers safely tucked away, just in case.
