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General discussionGOG Patrons Patch Notes – what’s new and what’s coming!(175 posts)(175 posts)
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This is my favourite topic
Posted April 17, 2026
With the end of Q1 2026, we'd like to update you, our community, on a few things happening at GOG – mostly around community management and GOG Patrons – what our plans are, and what you can look forward to. All wrapped up in a format we figured we'd all feel at home with: patch notes.

So, without further ado, let's get into it.

One of our main focuses going forward is strengthening our relationship with the community. To make that happen, we've put together a dedicated task force with people from multiple departments across the company, working together to come up with, plan, and execute ideas on exactly that front. Here are some recent examples of what we've been up to:

PayPal as a payment method for GOG Patrons

One of the most frequent pieces of feedback after we launched the program was the request for more payment options – most notably, PayPal. We're happy to say that's now possible: PayPal is available as a payment method when purchasing a Patrons membership.

A note: we are working on the ability to easily switch payment methods mid-subscription. It should be available in the coming weeks. For now, Patrons who want to change their payment method still need to cancel their membership, wait for it to expire, and then resubscribe using the new method. We know that's not ideal, and we're working on a proper solution now.

GOG Patrons in GOG GALAXY

We've added the ability to access the GOG Patrons Hub, the GOG Patrons landing page, and your Patrons settings directly through GOG GALAXY. If you prefer the client over the browser, you can now reach everything from one place.

GOG Patrons Hub and its expansion

This one's probably on your radar already, but we've created a dedicated space for Patrons on our website – a single, easy-to-access home for all the exclusive video content we produce. The idea was simple: not everyone is on Discord, and Patrons who prefer a different way of engaging with GOG shouldn't miss out.

Beyond that, the Hub gives us a real foundation to build on. One of the features we're currently exploring is bringing Preservation Program voting directly into the Hub, so you can weigh in on which games we should focus on.

Better communication and a more proactive approach

We're currently restructuring our Customer Relations team with a broader goal in mind: not just handling support tickets, but being genuinely more present in the community. That means more frequent and transparent communication – on the Forum, on Discord, and other places.

New Community Manager

Some of you may have noticed that we recently opened a recruitment process for a new Community Manager at GOG. Their primary focus will be growing and nurturing the community, with a particular emphasis on GOG Patrons. We’ll properly introduce the new CM as soon as they arrive.

Our current Community Manager, Jed, will be moving into a new role within the Business Development team, where he'll focus on acquiring indie games for GOG. But good news for those who like the guy: his new role in Business Development will still keep him close to the community, so you haven't seen the last of him ;)

Impact Update

One of the more important projects currently in development is something we're calling the Impact Update. The idea is straightforward: a regular report that gives the community a clearer picture of how Patrons' support contributes to our preservation work – including, where we’re able to share them, glimpses at roadmaps, progress on reviving classics, future plans, and more.

We want to do this properly, so we're not going to put a date on the first one just yet. But it's coming – and our intention is for it to become a recurring part of our communication with the community.

More glimpses behind the scenes

Beyond the report, we're exploring other ways to be more open. That includes regular AMAs with the Business Development team, interviews with various people from across GOG, and a blog series giving a closer look at our work and what goes on behind the scenes.

On that note, in the coming weeks, we'll be hosting a listening session on the GOG Patrons Discord. We want to ask you questions regarding various topics in the community management area, so that we know what you expect, what can be further improved, and what you'd like to see. We'll share the exact details, including timing and format, via Discord and email when we have everything planned out.

That's the update for now. It might not be the flashiest patch notes ever shipped, but it's an honest one – and we think that matters more. Thanks for being part of this. Every month of support and every piece of feedback shapes what we're building here. We'll keep you posted as things develop, and we genuinely look forward to hearing from you at the Q&A.

Yours truly,
The GOG Team
Posted May 07, 2026
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ASTROASS: I have indeed. That particular drama was partly why I got thrown out in the first place.
GenAI is here to stay, however, nothing changed in that regard, other than staff/community casualties. Very few people know or have noticed that mimic chest banner from a recent promo being generated, for example. This will continue.
Which is why I would prefer my disclosure wish to apply unilaterally.

https://www.gog.com/wishlist/site/ai_disclosure
Posted May 07, 2026
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ASTROASS: I have indeed. That particular drama was partly why I got thrown out in the first place.
GenAI is here to stay, however, nothing changed in that regard, other than staff/community casualties. Very few people know or have noticed that mimic chest banner from a recent promo being generated, for example. This will continue.
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Nicodemous52: I for one welcome and embrace our new clanker overloards.
Your prerogative, really.

As an artist myself - I just don't understand it. At that point, when the graphic is just generated slop with 3 posters photoshopped onto it - any goober learning photoshop can do that much day 1. Such a zero-challenge "job" should feel insulting to any skilled professional (and it is, at least to those who aren't dead inside and just collecting a paycheck).

When everyone praises Steam nowdays for hiring known artists - GOG going the clanker route after all these years is genuinely disappointing to look at. If they're so poor that they need to save a buck - they could have oppened up fan submissions and covered at least a few banners that way for free (or at least for a cost of a game key as a prize), there was no need to go this route.
Posted May 07, 2026
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ASTROASS: If they're so poor that they need to save a buck - they could have oppened up fan submissions and covered at least a few banners that way for free (or at least for a cost of a game key as a prize), there was no need to go this route.
Hell, royalty free images and subscriptions with commercial use are a thing, just put something together that gets the point across and stop generating slop
Posted May 07, 2026
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ASTROASS: If they're so poor that they need to save a buck - they could have oppened up fan submissions and covered at least a few banners that way for free (or at least for a cost of a game key as a prize), there was no need to go this route.
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Memecchi: Hell, royalty free images and subscriptions with commercial use are a thing, just put something together that gets the point across and stop generating slop
Yeah, that's just standard practice. We all use pre-made assets in the art world to some extent, that just saves time. But at least it also pays whoever created those assets, moves the economy around. Slop just enriches the same handful of billionaires who gave the masses mental health problems in the first place, lol.

But you know how it is - some manager gets very excited over a new global buzzword - currently it's the "AI" - and all logic goes out the window. Mix that together with a bit of a power trip - and you end up with the suppression of opinions and ignoring any concerns until they go away.

The unfortunate part? It works. Far more people are oblivious to everything than there are people who are aware and complain. 5 patrons get jaded and quit paying - 20 more join in all sparkly-eyed and ready to simp (at least for a while). Most people, statistically speaking, can't even tell what's "AI" and what's real any more - so why bother, right..? And many just straight-up do not care, they're just here for the games (which is a perfectly valid, even if disappointing stance).

At the end of the day - DRM-free buys a hell of a lot of good will and a nice case of an abusive relationship as a result. On one hand you want to be treated well as a customer, a fan(boy), and an intelligent human being, but on the other - you have your "selfish" motives for hoarding DRM-free games. But you have no comparable option to buy DRM-free elsewhere (at least not to this extent), so you just kinda sit there and take it, frustrating as it is.
Post edited May 07, 2026 by ASTROASS
Posted May 07, 2026
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Syphon72: Don't think GOG will ever attract investors.
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genericUNDEAD: This is the logical conclusion that makes most users become patrons despite it being a for-profit company. The service is a two-off (Zoom is the other IIRC), and isn't expanding. Rather it's on the verge of collapse with more DRM becoming industry-standard. I think if a wealthy enough gamer likes having access to thousands of games without DRM then they should try very hard to keep that service afloat even if it isn't efficient or economical. If GOG went 110% transparent, with their CEO and administrative staff releasing data on salaries and bonusesm to make it obvious that Patron "donations" aren't going into yachts and second homes then I think the entire problem being had by all here would be solved.
I think it should be assumed that the new ownership is going to do it's best to become profitable, which raises the question of how?

The only way I can think of would be to offer single-player games that are not DRM-free and try to have the best of both worlds, which would increase profitability if it didn't alienate too many of it's loyal customers.
Posted May 07, 2026
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genericUNDEAD: This is the logical conclusion that makes most users become patrons despite it being a for-profit company. The service is a two-off (Zoom is the other IIRC), and isn't expanding. Rather it's on the verge of collapse with more DRM becoming industry-standard. I think if a wealthy enough gamer likes having access to thousands of games without DRM then they should try very hard to keep that service afloat even if it isn't efficient or economical. If GOG went 110% transparent, with their CEO and administrative staff releasing data on salaries and bonusesm to make it obvious that Patron "donations" aren't going into yachts and second homes then I think the entire problem being had by all here would be solved.
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richlind33: I think it should be assumed that the new ownership is going to do it's best to become profitable, which raises the question of how?

The only way I can think of would be to offer single-player games that are not DRM-free and try to have the best of both worlds, which would increase profitability if it didn't alienate too many of it's loyal customers.
It's hard to say. Gamers in general have a tendency to moan about things, but they rarely actually do anything about it. Basically my whole life it's been like this. The industry does something we hate, we moan, we buy it anyway, it becomes normalized, and the cycle repeats.

So people may not leave because it is not their tendency. OR, they may go well if I'm forced to use DRM, why not go where the eating is real good and you get access to nearly every game coming out that's just cleaner and more stable as a platform in general. It's hard to say, neither would surprise me.

But, I do feel like if they pull that trigger and it's the wrong call, it's game over for them.
Posted May 07, 2026
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Nicodemous52: OR, they may go well if I'm forced to use DRM, why not go where the eating is real good and you get access to nearly every game coming out that's just cleaner and more stable as a platform in general. It's hard to say, neither would surprise me.

But, I do feel like if they pull that trigger and it's the wrong call, it's game over for them.
If GOG lost the DRM-free selling point - there'd be absolutely NOTHING keeping most of us here otherwise. That's THE whole point of this platform. If they were to ever turn around on ownership - that would be a nail in the coffin right there and then, I'd say.
Posted May 07, 2026
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Nicodemous52: OR, they may go well if I'm forced to use DRM, why not go where the eating is real good and you get access to nearly every game coming out that's just cleaner and more stable as a platform in general. It's hard to say, neither would surprise me.

But, I do feel like if they pull that trigger and it's the wrong call, it's game over for them.
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ASTROASS: If GOG lost the DRM-free selling point - there'd be absolutely NOTHING keeping most of us here otherwise. That's THE whole point of this platform. If they were to ever turn around on ownership - that would be a nail in the coffin right there and then, I'd say.
I would tend to lean in that direction myself. I'm not here strictly for the no DRM, to me that's just a bonus. But I feel I'm probably the minority here, I feel that's the big reason most people are here.
Posted May 07, 2026
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If GOG allow DRM on their platform then there is no point to use GOG anymore. You can just go to Steam.
Post edited May 07, 2026 by foad01
Posted May 07, 2026
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Nicodemous52: I'm not here strictly for the no DRM, to me that's just a bonus.
Why else would you shop on GOG? There are a multitude of game licence rental platforms with better funded support and service. The only selling point for GOG is that every game is unquestionably DRM-free or is about to be once the forums have sufficiently shouted at the management to fix whatever just slid past QA with a bit of sneaky DRM shite on its heels.
Post edited May 07, 2026 by genericUNDEAD
Posted May 07, 2026
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Nicodemous52: I'm not here strictly for the no DRM, to me that's just a bonus.
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genericUNDEAD: Why else would you shop on GOG? There are a multitude of game licence rental platforms with better current-year support and service. The only selling point for GOG is that every game is unquestionably DRM-free or is about to be once the forums have sufficiently shouted at the management to fix whatever just slid past QA with a bit of sneaky DRM shite on its heels.
I have issues with Steam. Many of them.

I hate their forum moderation there. I hate it so much that it's probably the main reason I want to get away from them. Their forums are useful, but man are they garbage.

I do not like that Steam is an effective monopoly. It should never be the case that it is the only option to buy a game, but far too often it is, they don't even have outside keys. I don't like that, it's not good for the industry as a whole because of the nest reason.

I think people let steam get away with far too much. Steam gets credit for setting the return policy standard, but if I remember correctly the EU basically forced their hand on that. And either way, they way they operate is fine as long as they have someone that is more or less pro consumer running the place. But, Game isn't going to run Steam forever, he's going to die some day. What happens then?

Lastly, I think part of games preservation, is having collections in different places so if for some reason, some how, you lose access to one you don't lose access to all your collections.

Those are the reasons I'm here outside of DRM.
Posted May 07, 2026
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Nicodemous52: Lastly, I think part of games preservation, is having collections in different places
But your collection on Steam and most services is effectively a rental service. The point of GOG is that they demand and then double-check and then force the publisher and devs to go into the build to remove anything that ruins preservation. Steam doesn't care about this and most games are polluted with various types of intentional and unintentional DRM.
Posted May 07, 2026
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Nicodemous52: I'm not here strictly for the no DRM, to me that's just a bonus.
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genericUNDEAD: Why else would you shop on GOG? There are a multitude of game licence rental platforms with better funded support and service. The only selling point for GOG is that every game is unquestionably DRM-free or is about to be once the forums have sufficiently shouted at the management to fix whatever just slid past QA with a bit of sneaky DRM shite on its heels.
OMG, I just spent a year listing out my reasons for doing so and the comment just disappeared into the void... Grrr...

I have a lot of reasons to be here that have nothing to do with DRM

I hate they way Steam moderates their forums. Their forums are useful so I use them, but I hate they way things are handled and the how it's done. So much so to the point that I really don't want to give them my money.

I don't like that Steam is an effective monopoly. I don't think it should ever be the cause that Steam is the only option to get a game, but far too often it is in fact the only option. Many games do not bother with even key sellers. And that point leads into the next one.

I think people give steam too much credit and let them get away with bs. Steam set the industry standard return policy, but if I remember correctly the EU forced their hand on that. They sell broken games and don't remove them even when told about it. They bully other outlets and sure things are fine they way they are as long as Steam is ran by someone that is pro consumer like Lord Gaben is. But, what happens when he dies? Steam has all the power right now, over developers and publishers and over consumers too. It's not a good situation that's building itself up here.

Beyond that, I do think that part of actual games collection/preservation is to have different collections in different spaces so if something happens to one collection, not the whole thing is wiped out. To diversify is not just wise in stocks.

Those are my reasons beyond DRM to use GOG. For now anyway.
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Nicodemous52: Lastly, I think part of games preservation, is having collections in different places
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genericUNDEAD: But your collection on Steam and most services is effectively a rental service. The point of GOG is that they demand and then double-check and then force the publisher and devs to go into the build to remove anything that ruins preservation. Steam doesn't care about this and most games are polluted with various types of intentional and unintentional DRM.
Wow, the site is taking a dump today.

every other platform that I know of other than Zoom-Platform, is basically an extended rental service. I've come to accept that. I assume that risk because I would not have the space to store over 1,500 physical games, not do I have or desire to buy enough storage to make sure they are all backed up and protected.
Post edited May 07, 2026 by Nicodemous52
Posted May 07, 2026
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Nicodemous52: I hate they way Steam moderates their forums. Their forums are useful so I use them, but I hate they way things are handled and the how it's done. So much so to the point that I really don't want to give them my money.
There is a fun fact. Everyone who had a problem with the Steam moderation got banned here at some point. Hihihi...
Post edited May 07, 2026 by foad01
Posted May 07, 2026
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richlind33: I think it should be assumed that the new ownership is going to do it's best to become profitable, which raises the question of how?

The only way I can think of would be to offer single-player games that are not DRM-free and try to have the best of both worlds, which would increase profitability if it didn't alienate too many of it's loyal customers.
avatar
Nicodemous52: It's hard to say. Gamers in general have a tendency to moan about things, but they rarely actually do anything about it. Basically my whole life it's been like this. The industry does something we hate, we moan, we buy it anyway, it becomes normalized, and the cycle repeats.

So people may not leave because it is not their tendency. OR, they may go well if I'm forced to use DRM, why not go where the eating is real good and you get access to nearly every game coming out that's just cleaner and more stable as a platform in general. It's hard to say, neither would surprise me.

But, I do feel like if they pull that trigger and it's the wrong call, it's game over for them.
DRM-free becomes a moot issue when streaming becomes the only available option. When it happens people will have bigger fish to fry. GOG will probably try to maintain some semblance of DRM-free, but that's a joke in a world where we don't own anything.

Will Witcher 4 be a GOG exclusive? Seems highly unlikely but who knows.
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This is my favourite topic
Community
General discussionGOG Patrons Patch Notes – what’s new and what’s coming!(175 posts)(175 posts)
(175 posts)