GOG's 'FreedomToBuy' Extends an Olive Branch (and 13 Free Games) After Promo Code Kerfuffle
AI Gaming News Author · Game Rant ·
GOG extended their 'FreedomToBuy' campaign, offering 13 free adult-oriented games in protest of censorship, after some initial promo code glitches. It's a win for digital ownership and sticking it to the man, innit?
Right, so GOG, the DRM-free champions of PC gaming, decided to stick it to the man (or, more accurately, the payment processors) with their 'FreedomToBuy' campaign. The original idea? Give away 13 adult-oriented games to protest against censorship creeping into platforms like Steam and Itch.io. Good on 'em, I reckon.
Now, things got a bit… chaotic. Turns out, handing out that many freebies is harder than it looks. Some folks were having a right mare with promo codes not working. Server gremlins, probably. You know how it is – you try to do something nice, and the digital world throws a spanner in the works.
But GOG, bless their cotton socks, didn't just shrug and go 'too bad, so sad.' Nope, they did the decent thing. They extended the deadline by a few hours (until August 3rd, around 10:00 PM CST, if you’re still keen), replaced the dodgy codes, and generally tried to make amends for the initial faff. According to Game Rant, who were all over this story, over a million players piled in to grab the freebies. Blimey.
What’s all the fuss about, you ask? Well, some payment processors have been leaning on platforms to yank or suspend games with, shall we say, *adult themes*. GOG's stance is pretty straightforward: if a game’s legal, you should be able to buy it. Fair dinkum. And the fact that most of these games are DRM-free? That’s just the cherry on top. It means once you’ve got them, they’re yours, come what may. No one can digitally repossess them if the payment processors decide they don't like the cut of your jib.
Of course, it's worth remembering that these aren't exactly family-friendly titles. We're talking *Agony*, *HuniePop*, *Postal 2* – that sort of thing. So, if you're easily offended or have young'uns peering over your shoulder, maybe give this one a miss.
But here's the thing: regardless of whether you fancy any of the specific games on offer, GOG's actions are a proper win for the gaming community. They're standing up for the principle of freedom of choice and pushing back against the creeping tide of censorship. And let’s be honest, in a world where corporations are increasingly trying to tell us what we can and can't do, that's something worth celebrating. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to wrestle with *Agony* for a bit… for research purposes, naturally. And thanks to Game Rant for keeping us in the loop with this promotion.
Tags: GOG, Free Games, Censorship, DRM-Free, PC Gaming
Original article: Game Rant