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Through the years, as GOG evolved, we explored many directions, and developed in ways that supported the needs presented by them. As mentioned in the first 2022 update, one of the things we’d like to do this year is to come back to our classic games roots, with the knowledge and experience that we gained during GOG’s existence.

Originally, GOG stood for Good Old Games. The idea for the company was born from the wish to play older games in a legal and easy-to-use way. As the classic games hold a special place in our heart, we’d like to devote more attention to highlighting them. It means that our goal is for GOG to become, once again, the best place for the classic PC games.

Our job isn’t to simply release the games that are already on the market. It’s to make them available to everyone - that oftentimes means fixing them, and making sure that they will run on the modern systems that you have. So far we achieved that by our internal work, and various cooperations with DOSBox or ScummVM, among others. Did you know there are a few titles on GOG that the DOSBox crew prepared special, dedicated versions of their great software? Our efforts to bring back some of the beloved games go beyond technical fixes.



In some cases, we also have to solve various legal contrivances to be able to release the games, as some of the rights and ownerships have been lost to time. Some of the titles that can be enjoyed thanks to these efforts are: Diablo + Hellfire, Theme Hospital, Dungeon Keeper Gold™, Deus Ex™ GOTY Edition, System Shock: Enhanced Edition, and of course the main star of today - The Wheel of Time, to which we added modern OS compatibility and hi-res support.

To help those classic games shine again, and get discovered by more people, we also do our best to support our releases with initiatives like Throwback Thursday, interviews with developers and other ways to look behind the scenes. If you like to collect the extra goodies connected to the games, such as guidebooks, wallpapers, concept arts and much more, there is a good chance that some of the ones you’ve gotten on GOG are thanks to our cooperation with The Video Game History Foundation.

But you know most of this already – so what’s next?! The newest development in the area of classics’ visibility and discoverability is the revival of Good Old Games concept. We’re starting with adding the “Good Old Game” tag, which will showcase over 500 games that our Team has deemed iconic classics – games that are older than 10 years and are critically acclaimed, stand the test of time, defined certain mechanics, or simply created new genres. You’ll find there games like Bioshock, Baldur’s Gate, Fallout or Gothic. Of course, this is in part our subjective choice, but we hope to inspire you to check them out for yourselves, have fun with them, and see if you agree with our assessment.



Why did we decide to pivot in this direction? Because we believe that celebrating and preserving classic games is important. They have the power to connect generations. They have the power to evoke nostalgia. They have the power to teach us about what came before and shaped the games we enjoy today. And they deserve to be remembered, and available for everyone to enjoy.

This is just another step to give Good Old Games a well-deserved spot on GOG. The invitation is here and it’s waiting for you! Rediscover with us the games that have been universally loved or search for hidden gems that didn’t get their time in the spotlight. Whatever you choose, we commit to bringing you the best classics experience out there: playable offline, compatible with new OSs, packed with additional digital goodies, and with the ability to back up anywhere at any time to ensure that the games we offer are playable for years to come.
Thank you, that´s a good initiative and definitely a step in a right direction.
Post edited April 06, 2022 by Tarhiel
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Great, as long as this doesn't mean we will only be getting pre-2004 or pre-2000. Old doesn't automatically mean good. Not to say that old games can't be good. Recently had a blast playing Dooms 1 and 2.
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David9855: It's great Night Dive Studios bring us classics updated for modern systems. Well done.
Which was gogs original USP.
I'm very happy to read about this re-commitment to "good old games". That's what brought me here after all, and my main point of interest in GOG.
I really hope this announcement is a prelude to the release of a good number of classics, maybe some of the most-wished so far. Time will tell. In the meantime, The Wheel of Time is a good start, an interesting game I've had on my radar for some time, although not at the top of my personal list.
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wolfsite: Will you also work on releasing classic games here that have been made free by the original developers/publishers?
That would be nice, too.
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I understand the dream of the DRM free game as I dont want to find myself in that position where I want to fire up something on my hardware only to find out that the publisher couldnt be bothered to keep their built in protection up and running. After all Gran Turismo 7 is proof enough that you are not really in charge of your game time.

I don't remember all the pillars that GOG was founded on but my guess is:
1. DRM-free
2. Full and complete games
3. With extras making it worth the asking price rather than sailing the high seas.

So basically putting you in charge of when you play your game when you want to.

I do have to raise the concern that some publishers will do their utmost best to circumvent that 3 pillars like we have with Hitman and the original unpatched Deus Ex mankind divided. There is also the fact that there was only so many DOS games, so many windows 95/98 games etc. There might be a lot to still uncovered but looking into the future how will something like Elden Ring, even if the multiplayer aspect has to be sacrificed, be looked at for a GOG release when the main rule for GOG is DRM-free?
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Been here since the start of GoG and seen a lot of changes over the years some good some not so good but i am so pleased at this statement the reason most of us come here was to play classic games DRM free.
That's great, now if you could fix all these games that aren't working on Win 10 and used to work on other OSes that'll be even better.
Post edited April 06, 2022 by Narakir
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GOG.com: We’re starting with adding the “Good Old Game” tag, which will showcase over 500 games that our Team has deemed iconic classics
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BreOl72: Over 500 you say?
I just selected that tag and then clicked "Hide all owned products"...holy shit...I own a lot of the Good Old Games.
:)
Let's see. 26 games for me, of which...

Fallout 1, 2, and Tactics: When will we get an option to hide stuff we already own under a different ID?

Caesar II, Star Trek Voyager - Elite Force: Already own it on CD-ROM, so waiting for at least 50% off.

Metal Gear Solid: I already own and emulate the PSX version, so maybe when it comes on a deep enough discount.

Metal Slug 1, 2, 3: Already owned as Humble Bundle/Store purchases that I was able to extract the ROMs from and put in my preferred MAME.

Caesar 1 & 4 and most of the others: None of the sales have had particularly inspiring discounts, so I always run out my budget before I get to them.
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GOG.com: We’re starting with adding the “Good Old Game” tag, which will showcase over 500 games that our Team has deemed iconic classics
Before you rush into tagging good old games, shouldn't you first complete tagging the games you mentioned in update #2, those which contains questionable perhaps-not-entirely-DRM-free material? For example, three weeks have passed since that news post and I still can't see any warning on the "Cyberpunk 2077" game page about its having some items (or if you want, "cosmetic items") that are only accessible by using galaxy.
Post edited April 06, 2022 by mrkgnao
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GOG.com: We’re starting with adding the “Good Old Game” tag, which will showcase over 500 games that our Team has deemed iconic classics
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mrkgnao: Before you rush into tagging good old games, shouldn't you first complete tagging the games you mentioned in update #2, those which contains questionable perhaps-not-entirely-DRM-free material? For example, three weeks have passed since that news post and I still can't see any warning on the "Cyberpunk 2077" game page about its having some items (or if want "cosmetic items") that are only accessible by using galaxy.
That example you gave has been stated by staff repeatably as them seeing it as not drm content but as ''bonus content for using Galaxy '' even if thats a excue.. as it technically is drm even if its just very little piontless stuff.. the locking the stuff behind drm is a big deal.. let alone that map dlc thats even a bigger issiu for the Cyberpunk crude as its a more drm level thing one has to pay for
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mrkgnao: Before you rush into tagging good old games, shouldn't you first complete tagging the games you mentioned in update #2, those which contains questionable perhaps-not-entirely-DRM-free material? For example, three weeks have passed since that news post and I still can't see any warning on the "Cyberpunk 2077" game page about its having some items (or if want "cosmetic items") that are only accessible by using galaxy.
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BanditKeith2: That example you gave has been stated by staff repeatably as them seeing it as not drm content but as ''bonus content for using Galaxy '' even if thats a excue.. as it technically is drm even if its just very little piontless stuff.. the locking the stuff behind drm is a big deal.. let alone that map dlc thats even a bigger issiu for the Cyberpunk crude as its a more drm level thing one has to pay for
I'm ok with their thinking whatever they want about it. Still, they said in update #2 that they will mark games with cosmetic items requiring online/galaxy/etc., for people who think differently. For example, they did mark Battletech with "Bonus decorations and emblems require online connection in order to be appliable.". So why not Cyberpunk 2077?
Good good, i like this. I hope more abandonware gems come to the store too.
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BanditKeith2: That example you gave has been stated by staff repeatably as them seeing it as not drm content but as ''bonus content for using Galaxy '' even if thats a excue.. as it technically is drm even if its just very little piontless stuff.. the locking the stuff behind drm is a big deal.. let alone that map dlc thats even a bigger issiu for the Cyberpunk crude as its a more drm level thing one has to pay for
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mrkgnao: I'm ok with their thinking whatever they want about it. Still, they said in update #2 that they will mark games with cosmetic items requiring online/galaxy/etc., for people who think differently. For example, they did mark Battletech with "Bonus decorations and emblems require online connection in order to be appliable.". So why not Cyberpunk 2077?
See heres the piont as far as I know your '' battletech'' example they have nothing invested in denying its even slight drm .. yet with Cyberpunk they have a invested interest in saying ''its not drm its rewards '' sorta like how Bethesda had a invested interest in deny creation club content is not DLC despite it actually is all because of Fallout 4s orginal wording for the season pass.. my piont on giving a example for another company denying something.. its similar situation .. if they admit the truth they shown they lied or trashed something they was for ..
Post edited April 06, 2022 by BanditKeith2
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The premise presented in the OP is a horrible idea IMO.

Surely the reason why GOG stopped being "Good Old Games" many years ago is because GOG's decision makers at that time realized it was an unviable business model.

But now GOG is going to re-embrace and double-down on that unviable business model?

That's still not going to work.

Only a small set of ultra hardcore niche gamers care about buying or playing ancient obsolete games on a regular basis. They may be a very vocal group here on this board, but that doesn't mean there are many of them, and it definitely doesn't mean that the collective revenue money that they deposit into GOG will be enough to sustain GOG. It won't.

What GOG should be doing is exact opposite of doubling-down on "Good Old Games."

GOG should be pursuing makers of new games, and AAA games, like Elden Ring which recently sold over 12 million copies.

On average, the kind of gamers who buy games like that en masse will take one look at the graphics of a "Good Old Game," the likes of which GOG attempts to glorify, and laugh hysterically at the prospect of being excited to buy or play such an ancient game now, in 2022.

One could argue that graphics aren't the most important thing of a game, or gamers who mostly only care about graphics are shallow, or that old games are better than new games that have up-to-date graphics & mechanics.

But even if all those arguments of "good old games" proponents are 100% true, that still doesn't change the cold hard reality that most gamers in 2022 aren't interested in "good old games."

That is why GOG should be doing it's utmost to schmooze all of the massively popular developers of fresh new games, like FromSoftware, and build a close relationship with them such that they become happy & eager to release their games on GOG.

That would be GOG's best possible hope to grow and became financially viable and lucrative.

On the other hand, GOG doubling-down on "good old games" is a financially dead end street to nowheresville, a.k.a. bankruptcy.
Post edited April 06, 2022 by Ancient-Red-Dragon
Awesome :D