GOG co-founder buys retro gaming storefront from CD Projekt Red

[Daniel Sims]

The takeaway: The developer behind The Witcher series and Cyberpunk 2077 has sold its PC gaming storefront to one of its original co-founders. While both parties insist the change will not affect consumers, the deal raises questions about the long-term viability of the retro gaming platform amid reports of declining revenue.

Michal Kicinski, a co-founder of both GOG and CD Projekt, has agreed to acquire the storefront from the developer. Users should see no changes in day-to-day operations, but the motivations behind the deal and its long-term impact remain unclear.

A detailed FAQ confirms that GOG customer accounts, games, and funds will remain unaffected. Kicinski will not have access to users' personal data or donations. Crucially, GOG games will stay DRM-free and continue to offer offline installation clients.

Also Read: GOG opens up about the uphill battle of fighting DRM and preserving classic PC games

The retro gaming storefront also emphasized its financial stability, though its actions over the past year may cast doubt on that claim. CD Projekt's 2024 annual report revealed that GOG's profits fell 88.9 percent compared with 2023, likely because no new games have been released since the Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty expansion. While GOG has hosted major releases since, including Stalker 2 and Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, none have matched the impact of content for Cyberpunk 2077 or The Witcher.

Since the report, GOG has taken several actions that suggest the store is searching for new revenue streams. A survey from later in March probed interest in a subscription service, and GOG began asking customers for donations during purchases in June.

Since the report, GOG has taken steps that suggest it is seeking new revenue streams. A survey in March gauged interest in a subscription service, and in June, the store began soliciting customer donations during purchases.

Earlier this month, the store launched its Patron program, an optional $5 monthly subscription that supports GOG directly without sharing revenue with publishers. The program helps fund efforts to keep retro games playable on modern operating systems, and subscribers can vote on preservation priorities. Recent additions include several Total War titles, Cold Fear, Rayman 2, Syndicate, Wing Commander: Academy, Breath of Fire IV, the original Resident Evil games, the original Diablo, and Devil May Cry.

Selling GOG to Kicinski could help CD Projekt keep the store's low profitability off its upcoming fiscal statements. However, the financial footing of GOG under its co-founder, compared with its performance under CDPR, remains unclear.

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GOG co-founder buys retro gaming storefront from CD Projekt Red

 

[GodisanAtheist]

I don't see how GOG has a future or long term viability without CDPR money.

Fact is the vast majority of gamers/people out there don't really care about "DRM free software", certainly not enough to not buy games when publishers release on locked down platforms vs GOG. They just want something convenient that works, and in the PC space that something is Steam.

 

[amghwk]

GOG used to be called Good Old Games that catered only retro games made playable on modern systems. Later on it just became another storefront for selling newer and latest games in addition to selling old games designed to run on modern systems.

Their hardcore fans claim it's DRM-free initiative is superior compared to others.

Which also makes pirating the games in their entirety much easier without any modifications.

 

[J95qRP7]

Since the report, GOG has taken several actions that suggest the store is searching for new revenue streams. A survey from later in March probed interest in a subscription service, and GOG began asking customers for donations during purchases in June.

Since the report, GOG has taken steps that suggest it is seeking new revenue streams. A survey in March gauged interest in a subscription service, and in June, the store began soliciting customer donations during purchases.

I'm guessing one of these should have been removed during editing?

OT: GOG is my first place for game purchases. These include Stalker 2, Frostpunk 2, Survive the Fall, Hollow Knight Silk Song, Everspace 2 and Monsters are Coming! I like that they are DRM free, that I can choose to install updates/patches, that I can download offline copies of my installers. I wish more games would come to it, though. Sucks that some publishers refuse to release there and others that once did, like Sony, have abandoned it. I recently had to get Horizon: Forbidden west on Steam, as GOG never got it and doesn't seem it ever will, like the Horizon: Zero Dawn Remaster.

 

[scoffer]

I buy the odd game or two from GOG. It is nice to actually feel like you OWN a game. In general though, their prices are not as competitive as STEAM.

 

[Puiu]

It's my most used store alongside Steam. I love it.

 

[Jyrkz]

Gog and steam for me

 

[mountains]

GOG has been great. I always look there first for a game. Often I feel they ARE competitive on price (you gotta check each time), they have been DRM-free (!), and you mostly don't have to be online to play their games. Their selection has gotten better, too.

I hope that continues in the Enshiticene.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

GOG used to be called Good Old Games that catered only retro games made playable on modern systems. Later on it just became another storefront for selling newer and latest games in addition to selling old games designed to run on modern systems.

Their hardcore fans claim it's DRM-free initiative is superior compared to others.

Which also makes pirating the games in their entirety much easier without any modifications.

The DRM free versions of the witcher outsold the DRMed ones.

Let's stop pretending that piracy is the big bad haunting GoG, OK?

I'm guessing one of these should have been removed during editing?

OT: GOG is my first place for game purchases. These include Stalker 2, Frostpunk 2, Survive the Fall, Hollow Knight Silk Song, Everspace 2 and Monsters are Coming! I like that they are DRM free, that I can choose to install updates/patches, that I can download offline copies of my installers. I wish more games would come to it, though. Sucks that some publishers refuse to release there and others that once did, like Sony, have abandoned it. I recently had to get Horizon: Forbidden west on Steam, as GOG never got it and doesn't seem it ever will, like the Horizon: Zero Dawn Remaster.

That's because Sony insists they must be able to track you via their Sony accounts to better ban you, er, I mean, monitor their consumer base for wrongthin.....no that isnt it, what was the corporate line again? Better to serve you?

Whatever. The post GoG releases have all been sloppy seconds compared to the prime cut that got DRM free releases, and I just wont buy any game that has an online account requirement.

I don't see how GOG has a future or long term viability without CDPR money.

Fact is the vast majority of gamers/people out there don't really care about "DRM free software", certainly not enough to not buy games when publishers release on locked down platforms vs GOG. They just want something convenient that works, and in the PC space that something is Steam.

GoG may do way better!

All their money has been going somewhere. The platform has a 0.008% profit margin. Just....how? How does such a small distribution platform burn through tens of millions of dollars a year? Easiest I can figure out is that money had to be funneled to CDPR operations.

What they need to focus on is getting more older releases out there and getting their name in more people's mouths. Most still dont know what a GoG is.