I've been reading on these forums for many years now... and there's definitely a bunch of these retro hardware players here. They're probably a small minority within a small minority within... but they can be very vocal about it.

I don't agree with their expectations - but I do think it would be a nice thing to do (GOG, taking those wishes into consideration when updating old games).
I actually don't see the issue. For some games, GOG provides an old or different version under 'Extras' (probably also meaning: "no support"). Knowing that, why don't they provide an original ISO as an 'extra' for more games?

I'm pretty hard on GOG lately, but what are you smoking OP? Show me one game besides Gwent that requires the client for local features on here.

So some games require galaxy for online play, ok, so? How is it GOG's fault that a developer didn't implement LAN play? They can't magically make a feature that doesn't exist appear.

And since when has GOG ever been about old games on old systems? They're about preserving games and making them run on modern hardware. I have no idea how you thought otherways.

Just a little correction. Archive.org and abondonware sites do a lot better job at "pure" preservation (like a museum does).

I agree, and about the ISOs, I would also like that. I would personally like to see GOG offer alternative versions for downloading for those of us who want it. I would pay more for that, in every case, and not expect GOG to give me installation support.

You're not wrong there, and I like your idea of GOG adding untouched ISOs as extras, but with so many old games (particularly early windows era) being a nightmare to get running even with period hardware, sometimes an update that broadens compatibility can be the best way to truly preserve a game.

Maybe they can't because of the agreement they sign with the IP owners of the games. I am just guessing here because who knows what kind of contract that GOG has with the IP owners of the games they sell. I wouldn't mind if they added unaltered ISOs of games. But if you take a game like Quake for example I don't think they can provide the unaltered ISO image of that game because it has copyrighted music on there. They had issues with the sound track for that game when they first had the game up on their site for sale.

They can't move a finger without approval from IP holder. They can't even implement frigging patch without creator's approval, remember Re-Volt which was promised to be returned *soon*. Quake is a good example why we don't have music (except for DOS version for some reason) without tweaking, however it might have something to do with Nine Inch Nailes and not Bethesda, or with both parties not willing to come to an agreement. But one thing is certain: original games can not be included without approval. This is why we have not get Flashback for DOS and probably this is why we'll never see the game Abuse (1996).

All above is my assumption, I'm not a lawyer. Feel free to humiliate if you can.

important edit: scroll down a ways to tslug's post, that user is Dave Taylor. He "was the producer on Abuse way back and still manage the rights for the original team." He explains why he didn't really want Abuse here on GOG.

Abuse is freeware (you might already be aware of this) and last I heard it wasn't here because (I can't remember the exact reasoning) the creator felt like adding it for free to the store would be like "promoting" the store without compensation, or something like that (it may be more reasonable than I'm remembering). It was on Desura but I think you could download it there without having to log-in?

there's also the "20th anniversary source port" btw -

https://www.gog.com/forum/general/abuse_1996_20th_anniversary_source_port

Endless, endless threads eager to bash GOG for stuff they haven't even done (the client is always optional outside a couple glitches they fixed) and stuff they have no control over (running out of old games without licensing issues, getting AAA publishers to sell their games DRM free).

Maybe instead of attacking the one store giving you DRM free installers for every game, you should divert your anger elsewhere?

Imho it is pretty clear , he just wants to show us he is upset and that's all.

That's exactly it about Quake it has to do with Trent Reznor being the IP owner of the Music for Quake. Oh yeah I know that they need permission from the IP owner to do anything with said games. Yeah there are quite a few failed negotiations that GOG has failed to get the deals done with games for whatever reason.

In the case of Flashback at least, what we have here is a remake. It's a separate piece of software from the original so of course they couldn't include the original without permission. It's a very different situation when it's a game that GOG has set up in ScummVM or something. Their licence for the game would allow them to include the original .exe, they just don't bother.

As you say, it only happens with some games. If it applied across the board, then there wouldn't be an issue.

Obligatory wishlist link:
https://www.gog.com/wishlist/site/iso_image_of_the_original_games_disks_as_bonus

Aside from OS compatibility issues (some of which are publisher created and others GOG's responsibility), there are cases where changes have limited the utility of installers (e.g. using ScummVM for older adventure games instead of DOSBox, and not including the original .exe file so preventing gamers from switching back to DOSBox).
Actually the reverse applies here. Because of the music licensing issue, the Quake install includes and mounts the ISO image for the DOS version.