I kind of do get why they locked topics with links to other stores but can you explain why the thread about what games on epic are drm free got locked? Instead of wasting time here why not start check the customer support which is filled with open tickets and gets weeks to check them?

Does it seem to anybody else rather hypocritical that GOG has spent years trying to style its client as being a 'client to rule all clients', building in links to other online game stores. However, now we are being told that users aren't allowed to even discuss or link to those other stores on the forum.

It's a total farce and makes absolutely no sense.

A neutral view:

This seems to me an escalation of what I have observed in these forums. People complain a lot in these forums until they start a boycott. People don't like certain things and are very vocal about it.

Recently, there were several release threads with users who posted links to other stores. This got moderated. Is this surprising? I mean you are visiting this store and then you post links to other stores in the release threads. Do you really expect that any store out there would tolerate this? This most likely caused a discussion behind the scenes and now you see the results.

Maybe it is time to calm down. Maybe it is time to reflect that the constant negativity and toxicity here has reached a point where it needs to stop.

I already PM'd you my question but I'll just ask it again here publicly so everyone can benefit from your answer.

"Hi, I just now noticed that you've closed the Gaming Deals Thread which I've posted quite a bit in and had a question about it. Is the reason why it's closed is because we're not allowed to share deals from other sites or is it because of the links to external sites posted. Because if it is the latter then are we allowed to start up another Gaming Deal Thread but just don't post any links? This thread was one of my favorite on Gog's forum and I'd hate to see it go so I'm trying to find a way we can share deals and still stay within the rules of Gog's forum policy. Thank you for taking the time to read this."

It's not a neutral in the slightest to deliberately frame your argument with such a one-sided view like this from the get go.

Maybe it's time to actually look into the history of GOG and what it's done over the years to foster such a negative environment instead of automatically condemning the users?

Well written, and quoted for truth.
Over the last weeks/months I saw several users openly advocating piracy of GOG games.
At the same time people came to release threads, only to declare "oh, [game x] is released? Great! Then I can buy it [somewhere else]".
People on this forums have reached a level of entitlement that goes far beyond any rational measures.
They demand rights that they assume they have (often pulled out of the blue, simply "because I want it to be so"), but deny GOG (or anyone else) their rights.
It's coughypocriticalcoughilarious.

Indeed. I have just noticed that one of the threads closed was Crosmando's "I have Covid"

I read it before the lock and thought that thread was kinda pointless. It was almost a poor joke and it didn't really add anything. But, as stupid and unnecessary as it was, why was it locked instead of letting it slowly sink to the bottom of Gog's forum? Where did it break the CoC? Is being "made in poor taste" now an infringement of the rules?

Seems like those are very arbitrary and confusing rules. I think we need clarity if we're going to live under the iron fist of the new moderation.

Over the years I have posted many threads on Ste_m forums asking developers and publishers to bring their games to GOG. I have openly stated that I wish to spend my money for DRM-free content on GOG and hope they will bring their games here.

I have never had a thread locked or been moderated by Ste_m for openly advocating for GOG.

Would the same be allowed here?

Because every new comment (would have) brought it on top of the list again, and besides that - SmollestLight has explained the reasons for the closure:

https://www.gog.com/forum/general/i_have_covid/post25

In short: it got derailed, and the OP "joked"(?) about giving away his GOG games.

Thank you so much to all the contributors of the locked thread
gog.com/forum/general/gaming_deals_thread

Especially to the frequent collaborators during the last year:
_Slaugh_
Grargar
triock
_Auster_
greeklover
72_hour_Richard
Crisco1492

And of course, the many people posting during all those years: former, active, casual... thanks to all of you!

Thanks for your time, your masterfully made posts cutting the fluff and providing the meaningful details in a perfect format this vgamers community need (not like the junk the GOG staff ,,compose,, with screwed format just to give a comparisson...)
Wherever you move to continue informing, please let us know to follow you there!
Because the value of this forum is not GOGs technology/ownership/moderation (laughs!) but its members.

------------------------------------------------------------
You SmollestLight, not surprising at all... is totally useless to say anything else.

Anyway, seems your workload lowered a lot to start locking threads here and there. Then let me ask you for some pending topics you have in this forum:

Quake Enhanced Update
gog.com/forum/general/quake_enhanced_update/post1
When?
(Your last update: 20Aug2021)

Update regarding Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver
gog.com/forum/general/update_regarding_legacy_of_kain_soul_reaver
Any status update?
(Your last update: 17Sep2021)

Join the Haven Contest! (08Mar2022)
gog.com/forum/general/bjoin_the_haven_contestb_43030
Who are the winners?
(Your last update: 15Mar2022 "Thank you for all your great entries! We will pick the winners soon :)")

We joined forces with 11 bit studios for a Frostpunk Contest! (22Dec2021)
gog.com/forum/general/bwe_joined_forced_with_11_bit_studios_for_a_frostpunk_contestb_62bd4
(Your last update: None)

[Moderated by SmollestLight: We don't condone calls for harassment of GOG staff.]

Are you publicly calling for harassment of GOG employees?

No. May I ask you then: What are your arguments for such accusation?

Are you not aware of the backlog/delays they have to give reponse/solutions? And their total dead silence?
Is silence a valid response?

My arguments can be found in your comment.
If you really don't want to call for the harassment of GOG employees, maybe you want to edit it?
(though I think you and I know exactly what you intended, when you wrote your comment - so you won't edit it)

FYI I avoid edit posts as much as possible. No kidding.
You can take your time to search them and validate my statement on your own if you wish.

Under that personal rule, I am afraid I won't edit the post you are concerned even less.
I respect your opinion, and if you find it breaks any CoC rule, please report it accordingly.
I will defend every word of it as much as necessary.
In my book asking the status of 4 very specific threads with very specific information given is not a crime. Even more considering the dates and the lack of response.
But, every mind is different.