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elgonzo: Sure. It's business strategy 101...

Phase 1: Piss off customers
Phase 2: ?
Phase 3: Profit
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Orkhepaj: or customer strategy
1.I hate what they did
2.I continue shopping like nothing happened
3. ?
4. Surely things will improve
I requested a removal of my account a week ago. Sadly, I still have to wait until the 21st of February before I am not longer part of the "metric" of GOG. But yeah, I instantly stop doing business with a company when they do as CDPR did.
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Orkhepaj: or customer strategy
1.I hate what they did
2.I continue shopping like nothing happened
3. ?
4. Surely things will improve
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Chielus86: I requested a removal of my account a week ago. Sadly, I still have to wait until the 21st of February before I am not longer part of the "metric" of GOG. But yeah, I instantly stop doing business with a company when they do as CDPR did.
ah sad to see another one go , btw where will you get your games?
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Chielus86: I requested a removal of my account a week ago. Sadly, I still have to wait until the 21st of February before I am not longer part of the "metric" of GOG. But yeah, I instantly stop doing business with a company when they do as CDPR did.
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Orkhepaj: ah sad to see another one go , btw where will you get your games?
At the moment, I simply won't as there is no options left. Gaming has been my hobby since the early 90's, but the landscape has changed. I do have a very very large collection (physical) of games, many of which I have barely played or not at all. You know, buying a bulk of games 2nd hand and such.

So I will spend some time, probably up to years, digesting that collection and enjoying many gems from the past. But as far as buying new things, I simply can't at this moment. Steam is worse, EpicGames is... Let's not dive into that burning dumpster and barely any (if at all) developer sells their games separate of a major storefront.

I was a Nintendo kid growing up, I even left Nintendo many, many moons ago when they started their copyright war on people who give them free publicity. I do play games from before that time, as it was a different company in my eyes. But I have yet to play any Zelda newer then Wind Waker, I would like to, but I cannot give that company my money anymore.
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mqstout: * De-DRM Cyberpunk 2077 so the offline installer gets 100% of the content, and apologize for having made that mistake.
* Axe the microtransaction-fueled multiplayer plans they have. Make a legit multiplayer product if going ahead, but not a psychological manipulation one. Show the world multiplayer can be done right! Apologize for having wanted to exploit people with the earlier plans.
* Continue with bugfixes and enhancements.
* Write a post-mortem, signed by management and development team, of exactly what went wrong, where and when, and how it will be avoided in the future.
* Announce a sunset for GWENT as is and a conversion to a legit DRM-free product, once again demonstrating leadership to other developers that "card games have to exploit" isn't accurate.
Seconding all this. Don't forget de-DRMing or de-listing other offenders such as No Man's Sky, even though Cyberpunk 2077 should be first priority.

While your suggestion for GWENT is good, I still like the idea of just moving GWENT to CDPR's own site (i.e., unlike here which is supposed to be "100% DRM-free").
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wpegg: Final thought: I've seen this behaviour before in several companies. It's generally what you see when a company is not aiming for long term "trust", the short termist sales focus is usually when a company is trying to fatten up the books in preparation for a sale. It would stand to reason that the founders of CDP would quite like a retirement package, and that CP77 was the final release to really make them more than just "The Witcher Games Company".
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elgonzo: It could be. The addition of the Epic Games Store to Galaxy not that long ago made me think then what the future of GOG will be and whether that could be a sign a of a possible upcoming reorg of the CD Projekt group. As a side note, 40% of EGS is owned by Tencent, and it wouldn't be entirely frivolous to imagine some relationship between this and the complete withdrawal/cancellation of Devotion on GOG...
According to this post: https://www.gog.com/forum/general/devotion_is_coming_to_gog_on_dec_18th/post908 Epic does (unlike "we are rebels" CDPSA) not bow down to CCP. Reason being Tim Sweeney has control over Epic and not Tencent.
Note A: The link doesnt work - you have to manually go to post #908. (Presumably this is due to forum censorship = moderators deleting posts in the thread which makes the linking buggy.)
Note B: I dont know if the linked post is true. Although I did a little research and found no contradiction.
Note C: Given the current state of GOG I find the hating on Epic inappropriate - assuming the linked post is properly true.

Due to the linking problem I am quoting the full post too:

#908

#907
Thing is, they're completely correct. This is a stunning display on CDPR/GOG between the two debacles. I used to be greatly hopeful that they'd be a force for good, but it is on full display that the suits don't give a damn about principles or making games that work. There needs to be a serious and swift course correction if CDPR/GOG hopes to regain trust with customers. At least Epic is openly in bed with the CCP, GOG just insults longtime customers with poorly crafted lies.
There have been so many missteps and never really any personal consequences. There cannot possibly be any change if the same people are still in charge incapable or unwilling to change or to fulfill the countless promises to do different. Find the people in leading positions that are not compatible with your moral/ethic code and just offer them a different position, that suits them better. I mean It's simple parenting 101, if there are no consequences to ones actions, no lessons will ever be learned.

As far as Epic is concerned, what makes you say that they are in league with the CCP? Because Tencent is owning 40% of their stock? During the Blizzard Hong Kong protest controversy Tim Sweeney stated "Epic supports the rights of Fortnite players and creators to speak about politics and human rights." which clearly opposes the CCP. Also Fortnite was banned in China in 2018, because of "Blood and gore, vulgar content", unlike Blizzard Epic refused to make changes to their game to cater to the Chinese market .When his stance concerning free speech was challenged because of the large share Tencent holds, Tim Sweeney essentially stated that nothing would happen to undermine that as long as he was in charge "Yes, absolutely. That will never happen on my watch as the founder, CEO, and controlling shareholder."
So far he has stayed true to his word.
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Orkhepaj: ah sad to see another one go , btw where will you get your games?
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Chielus86: At the moment, I simply won't as there is no options left. Gaming has been my hobby since the early 90's, but the landscape has changed. I do have a very very large collection (physical) of games, many of which I have barely played or not at all. You know, buying a bulk of games 2nd hand and such.

So I will spend some time, probably up to years, digesting that collection and enjoying many gems from the past. But as far as buying new things, I simply can't at this moment. Steam is worse, EpicGames is... Let's not dive into that burning dumpster and barely any (if at all) developer sells their games separate of a major storefront.
There is this thread if you dont know it:
https://www.gog.com/forum/general/list_of_drmfree_video_games_digital_distributors/page1]https://www.gog.com/forum/general/list_of_drmfree_video_games_digital_distributors/page1[/url]
Post edited December 27, 2020 by Zrevnur
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Orkhepaj: ah sad to see another one go , btw where will you get your games?
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Chielus86: At the moment, I simply won't as there is no options left. Gaming has been my hobby since the early 90's, but the landscape has changed. I do have a very very large collection (physical) of games, many of which I have barely played or not at all. You know, buying a bulk of games 2nd hand and such.
There are other options for DRM-free games. In case you are not aware, this thread contains a list of alternative online distributors for DRM-free games. Ones that I think look particularly promising are Zoom Platform, Itch.io, Fireflower and Playism. Zoom Platform has a nice selection of good games. I bought several from them recently - they are DRM-free offline installers and all worked great. I recommend checking them out.
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Time4Tea: There are other options for DRM-free games. In case you are not aware, this thread contains a list of alternative online distributors for DRM-free games. Ones that I think look particularly promising are Zoom Platform, Itch.io, Fireflower and Playism. Zoom Platform has a nice selection of good games. I bought several from them recently - they are DRM-free offline installers and all worked great. I recommend checking them out.
I've seen the thread, but am hesitant to be customer of those storefronts. As I said, the landscape of gaming has changed a lot and it has made me very wary of spending my cash anywhere at this moment. GOG was pretty much my last trial of a storefront.

But just as games advertise "No lootboxes", only to implement them 2 weeks later when the big youtubers have moved on to other games... So do storefronts such as GOG is doing advertise for one thing, only to obliterate that promise down the line when it makes them a quick buck or 2.

There are no real developers or publishers in this market. Only shareholders.

So I might buy on zoom. But not this year, next year or anywhere in the foreseeable future. As I gladly give them the time and opportunity to 180 on themselves for said 2 bucks. Cynical? Probably. But closer to reality then I would like it to be,
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Chielus86: I've seen the thread, but am hesitant to be customer of those storefronts. As I said, the landscape of gaming has changed a lot and it has made me very wary of spending my cash anywhere at this moment. GOG was pretty much my last trial of a storefront.
I'm sorry to hear that, but it's obviously your decision. I prefer to give people the benefit of the doubt, unless they have done something to betray my trust.
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Zrevnur: According to this post: https://www.gog.com/forum/general/devotion_is_coming_to_gog_on_dec_18th/post908 Epic does (unlike "we are rebels" CDPSA) not bow down to CCP. Reason being Tim Sweeney has control over Epic and not Tencent.
Note A: The link doesnt work - you have to manually go to post #908. (Presumably this is due to forum censorship = moderators deleting posts in the thread which makes the linking buggy.)
Note B: I dont know if the linked post is true. Although I did a little research and found no contradiction.
Note C: Given the current state of GOG I find the hating on Epic inappropriate - assuming the linked post is properly true.
First, i did not suggest that Epic is somehow involved in the Devotion disaster. I did suggest, however, that maybe, just maybe, the interests behind the EGS integration in GOG's galaxy perhaps, just perhaps, might be interests connected/related to Tencent (or stakeholders of Tencent), and that those interests are Chinese. And to make clear, i did also make clear that this would be imagination, in other words: conjecture, or conspiracy theory, if you will -- albeit less frivolous as some run-of-the-mill conspiracy theory (but feel free to disagree with me about it being or not being frivolous).

Second, with regard to Sweeney having control over Epic (and going a bit off-topic): There is no situation in reality where a majority shareholder of 50-something percent could easily ignore and overrule the wishes of a 40-something percent shareholder and vice versa without being hostile to the other shareholder, quite possibly unfolding as a public drama. With a 40-something percent shareholder on his side, Sweeney is not free of strong influence and constraints in regard to exercising control of the company. The same is true also the other way around, too. Don't get me wrong, I am sure Sweeney has no problems playing hard-ball with Tencent, his stock majority gives him the power to do so. However, being able to control and steer the company requires that both Sweeney and Tencent find common ground and agreement over how to control and steer the company. (I assume this mostly expresses itself as choosing figures for the board of directors with views and visions that are acceptable to both Sweeney and Tencent.)

Third, why would one's opinion about Epic depend on one's opinion of GOG? I don't get it. If my opinion of GOG is not good, am i obligated to have a good opinion about Epic? Huh? Maybe i am missing context to understand your note C correctly...
Post edited December 27, 2020 by elgonzo
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elgonzo: Third, why would one's opinion about Epic depend on one's opinion of GOG? I don't get it. If my opinion of GOG is not good, am i obligated to have a good opinion about Epic? Huh? Maybe i am missing context to understand your note C correctly...
The context is exactly what you wrote in your own post (but not limited to your post - similar sentiments were expressed elsewhere too): "... The addition of the Epic Games Store to Galaxy not that long ago made me think then what the future of GOG will be..."
You use GOG adding Epic as an argument against GOG. But this only makes proper sense to me if you believe Epic to be worse than GOG.

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elgonzo: Second, with regard to Sweeney having control over Epic (and going a bit off-topic): There is no situation in reality where a majority shareholder of 50-something percent could easily ignore and overrule the wishes of a 40-something percent shareholder and vice versa without being hostile to the other shareholder, quite possibly unfolding as a public drama. With a 40-something percent shareholder on his side, Sweeney is not free of strong influence and constraints in regard to exercising control of the company. The same is true also the other way around, too. Don't get me wrong, I am sure Sweeney has no problems playing hard-ball with Tencent, his stock majority gives him the power to do so. However, being able to control and steer the company requires that both Sweeney and Tencent find common ground and agreement over how to control and steer the company. (I assume this mostly expresses itself as choosing figures for the board of directors with views and visions that are acceptable to both Sweeney and Tencent.)
As you write yourself - this goes both ways. And if its one vs the other ("bow to China" or "dont bow to China") then the 50+% wins over the 40%. The 40% would have to successfully sue for proper reasons (like not making money or breaking laws) to get their way. (Also Tencent usually doesnt mess openly with the companies they invest in anyway. This is not how the CCP plays their cards - it would obviously be stupid for them to do that.)
Post edited December 27, 2020 by Zrevnur
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elgonzo: Third, why would one's opinion about Epic depend on one's opinion of GOG? I don't get it. If my opinion of GOG is not good, am i obligated to have a good opinion about Epic? Huh? Maybe i am missing context to understand your note C correctly...
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Zrevnur: The context is exactly what you wrote in your own post (but not limited to your post - similar sentiments were expressed elsewhere too): "... The addition of the Epic Games Store to Galaxy not that long ago made me think then what the future of GOG will be..."
You use GOG adding Epic as an argument against GOG. But this only makes proper sense to me if you believe Epic to be worse than GOG.
Okay. But how is me diskliking EGS now suddenly inapproriate just because GOG is "shitting on the carpet"? That's not making any sense. I disliked EGS and the EGS integration in GOG long before the current GOG affairs. (Note that i said "it made me think then...", referring to the time when EGS was being integrated in Galaxy, and more specifically referring to a comment i made at that time: https://www.gog.com/forum/general_beta_gog_galaxy_2.0/new_store_inside_gog_galaxy_launches_in_test_phase/post62 ). You seem to believe that i just started to dislike EGS (and Galaxy's EGS integration) because of current GOG events, which is incorrect.

As you write yourself - this goes both ways. And if its one vs the other ("bow to China" or "dont bow to China") then the 50+% wins over the 40%. The 40% would have to successfully sue for proper reasons (like not making money or breaking laws) to get their way. (Also Tencent usually doesnt mess openly with the companies they invest in anyway. This is not how the CCP plays their cards - it would obviously be stupid for them to do that.)
Yes, it goes both ways. I absolutely agree. Yet, you still seem to like sticking to the "it only goes one way, Sweeneys way" theory, while then at the end kinda changing position back to a "it goes both ways" by introducing a secret mysterious squirrel-way of Tencent being able to get their way. Hmm...

And ofcourse any arguments or disputes between Sweeney and Tencent are normally not done in the open (public). This has nothing to do with how the CCP likes to do things at all. Regardless of the company and regardless of the actual shareholders, arguments, disputes, negotions about the direction of a company and/or the personnel of the BoD between large shareholders (and other investors and stakeholders) are usually not public but rather behind closed doors, unless they turn hostile and one party drags the dispute into the open.
Post edited December 27, 2020 by elgonzo
Why do they need to restore trust? It is obvious that there was a point at which they should of stopped and we are clearly past it.
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XVX777: Hey, if any GOG employee reads this, you haven't lost any trust or goodwill with me. I'm just over here laughing at people who buy games at launch (or God forbid, pre-order them).
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elgonzo: Yeah, while pre-order fans often reap what they sow, it's good for a change to see someone who really and unapologetically likes being served unfinished products of questionable quality. Someones pile of shit is someone elses pile of gold, right?

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XVX777: And as for Devotion, I've been looking for a website where I can bet on the exact point in time when *TRUE GAM3RS* will stop talking about this issue, I mean STRUGGLE AGAINST THE MAAAAAN that is super important for them. I give it about a month, maybe.
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elgonzo: Finally someone who knows not to bite the hand that feeds them. I mean, Devotion the game is really not that important in the grand scheme of things, but good on you for having figured out your place in the world.
Hah, that's not really what I said. I buy games after they've come out, when they've gotten cheaper, and received updates, because I'm aware of other people's odd habit of wanting to buy shit at 'launch', as if that makes a difference. As a consequence of that, game devs rush out their games to meet arbitrary dates, and then whine in forums when they're unfinished or rushed. It's a circle jerk, and I'm not participating.

Secondly, Devotion IS NOT important in the grand scheme of things. It's laughable to see neckbeards rage out and go all black panther about something so insignificant. You can wake me up when companies bowing to the Chinese has actual consequences that I would care about. If you haven't forgotten about this important issue by then, that is.
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XVX777: Secondly, Devotion IS NOT important in the grand scheme of things. It's laughable to see neckbeards rage out and go all black panther about something so insignificant. You can wake me up when companies bowing to the Chinese has actual consequences that I would care about. If you haven't forgotten about this important issue by then, that is.
Oh, even if the the issue is not resolving, i absolutely expect to have forgotten about this issue by then, more or less. No doubt about that, i am not joking here. Like i will also have more or less forgotten about GOG by then... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

(I'll lurking here in the GOG forums until mid January or so to see whether there is something going to happen to improve the situation, although i am not hopeful. After that, i am pretty much a goner here...)
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Call me a fanboy all you want, but I haven't lost an ounce of trust in them. They're still a great company. Cyberpunk is still a great game and I don't believe they did anything wrong with the way they launched the game (other than the way they handled the delays). Does it have some issues right now? Of course, there's no denying that... but if you want a game that has a smooth, relatively bug-free launch, abandon this genre right now. It's never gonna happen. These sorts of games will ALWAYS have a buggy launch simply by virtue of the fact that they have so many variables that it'd literally be impossible to fully test the game in time before launch.

They can't keep the game in the development phase forever. They already delayed the game four times and while further delays would have, undoubtedly, helped to smooth things out, there were multiple reasons they couldn't do that. The first, and most obvious one, is the fact that they needed to have it out by the Christmas season. Others might include possible trademarking issues (trademarks do have hard and soft deadlines), financial issues, etc. The Witcher 3 put them on the map, for sure, and GOG is a great source of income for the CD Projekt group but with as much resources as they poured into this game, they needed to have an ROI soon or investors would start losing confidence in the dev team, which would not be a good thing. And hey, whatever your thoughts on the game or its current state are, you can't argue with the numbers. This game outsold The Witcher 3 by a huge margin, even with refunds factored in.

Bottom line: I can empathize with the people that are dealing with lots of issues. There's no question there are plenty of bugs and the game definitely needs some proper optimization. I understand that these issues are frustrating. However, to lose faith in them as a company, despite the fact that they've shown good faith on fixing these issues on multiple occasions, is pretty silly. It's amazing how gamers are these days. If a game isn't 100% bug-free and to their liking on day one, they try to refund the game (a scum move) and boycott the company (also a scum move), even if said company was their lord and savior of the industry just a few months earlier.

Be patient. Turn on analytics. Submit all crash reports and if you encounter a particularly rough bug, report it too. Doing all of that drastically reduces the amount of time it'll take them to fix the issues and the less time they have to spend on fixing the game, the less time we'll have to wait before the free DLCs and inevitable expansions start rolling out. Doing those things will only help everyone, yourself included.
Post edited December 27, 2020 by JakobFel