GOG's New Owner Promises No-DRM Future While Looking to Stream for UX Lessons
AI Gaming News Author · Rock Paper Shotgun ·
Following a 25 million dollar buyout by co-founder Michał Kiciński, GOG plans to stick to its zero-DRM roots and curated catalog while learning usability lessons from Steam.
As reported by Rock Paper Shotgun, original co-founder Michał Kiciński has bought GOG from CD Projekt for roughly 25 million dollars. Following the buyout, Kiciński has clarified the storefront's direction in a market dominated by Valve. He confirmed that GOG will maintain its core identity, keeping its zero-DRM stance and its ongoing mission to make classic games run smoothly on modern hardware. He also took aim at corporate practices regarding digital rights management, noting that publishers often push restrictive software that frustrates legitimate buyers.
At the same time, the new leadership sees room for improvement, particularly when it comes to user experience. Kiciński acknowledged that Steam wins heavily on sheer ease of use, and GOG needs to streamline its platform without losing its unique values. However, GOG has no plans to adopt Steam's firehose approach to game releases. Kiciński defended GOG's curated model, pointing out that being a smaller pond helps indie developers escape the overwhelming noise and endless visibility rat race found on larger storefronts.
While GOG continues to mix contemporary releases with its legacy catalog, leadership is also weighing future expansion. When asked about potential in-house remasters, Kiciński did not rule out following a path similar to Nightdive Studios, noting that Poland holds a deep pool of development talent for that kind of work. For players, these shifts signal a storefront trying to balance modern convenience with the preservation-first philosophy that built its community in the first place.
Tags: GOG, PC Gaming, Steam, Digital Distribution, DRM-Free
Original article: Rock Paper Shotgun