Even Gamersgate do that.

Note that in Feb 2013, Nightdive released System Shock 2 to GOG. It wasnt released on Steam until may 10th.

Trlobyte likely had zero expertise in programming/porting, so they went to GOG/Nightdive to do the heavy lifting. Its likely less about 'having an in' but more 'we dont want to port this here is some money'

Given the game is still on steam it seems like the likely situation might be:

1) GOG goes to Trilobyte for 7th Guest release
2) GOG works on the release, release it Feb 9 2012
3) Next year Trilobyte wants to release on steam
4) Realizes GOG basically wont let them release GOG code on steam
5) gets Nightdive studios to do the work
6) Gets game on steam Oct 18, 2013
7) Nightdive realizes they're losing revenue on the GOG version
8) remove game on GOG in preparation for moving the publishing back end to NightDive instead of Trilobyte

Kind of a guess but given that happened with the Fallout series when it was removed then put back in when rights transfered to Bethesda. Since its only happening on one platform rather than both simultaneously, that's my best guess given the limted information

FK steam:(

The IP rights to The 7th Guest are owned by Trilobyte LLC. Trilobyte LLC probably worked with GOG on the first re-release of The 7th Guest via DOSBox or SCUMMVM. However, they later partnered with Nightdive Studios for their "25th Anniversary" release on Android. The 25th Anniversary edition included a variety of extras like a copy of the 7th Guest novel and a bunch of other things.

I don't know if that carries over into the Steam version by NightDive or not.

But that is how 2 publishers can publish the same game. Technically the original game was published by Trilobyte Inc back in the early 90s. However, that company went bankrupt, largely due to management and game production style differences between the original co-founders. The IP Rights to The 7th Guest franchise seemed to be up in the air for a while but, reverted to or were purchased by Rob Landeros who formed Trilobyte LLC to deal with The 7th Guest and other IPs he held on to.

As to why Trilobyte decided to pull the GOG version, anything we say is speculation. It could have to do with the NIghtDive vs. the original Trilobyte LLC restoration. I don't think there are currently any plans for a true HD remake because Trilobyte doesn't have the original bluescreen footage of the actors. It's impossible to re-scale the game without having access to that original footage, period.

I've personally been trying to track down the original SVHS or Beta tape(s) from the game by talking to former producers and developers. This is mostly because I love seeing behind the scenes stuff and outtakes. It's been an interesting journey getting to speak with people who developed games in the "wild west" days of CD-Rom development. That being said, none of them, including the original videographer or people who did the masking work have a copy as of right now.

So again my best guess is similar to what others said. Trilobyte LLC had a version but, they also partnered with NightDive for a version. Trilobyte likely wants to make things as easy to manage as possible and probably decided they don't want to manage 2 versions of the same game. Hopefully this means the NightDive version will show up on GOG in the future.

As for The 11th Hour, well, that source code has long been missing and any fixes to it are completely reverse engineered. That is another "lost" asset that disappeared when Trilobyte LLC dissolved.

Note: I don't work for Trilobyte. I am involved with The 13th Doll, which is a fan game based in the 7th Guest universe.
Problem with #4, in the NoClip GOG documentary they said that they always allow the IP holder to re-sell the updated/fixed versions elsewhere if they want to.

However, I think you might be correct about the NightDive thing.

... And the boss being able to reach you on weekends.

I actually bought this a long time ago, but coincidentally started playing it not long before this announcement and have just finished it.


What a terrible game it is. I understand its importance as a then user of cutting edge technology, but man is it a bad game. It's basically a puzzle book strung together with terrible acting that makes other 90s FMV games look Oscar worthy. Even forgiving it for all that, it has some glaring control/interface issues and gameplay flaws.

Still, I'm sad to see it leave the catalogue even though it's only good as a museum piece.
That's definitely wrong, there are numerous times when an old game has come out on Steam not long after release on GOG and the Steam version is found to literally be the GOG version, same fixes and all. Off the top of my head I'm pretty sure that happened with the original Tomb Raider games.

[emphasis added]

Could you give a couple of examples?



As much as I agree, and while it's another simple thing to do, seeing that the wish has over 2.8K votes and isn't even marked as "in progress", I've given up hope that GOG will ever consider it.



^This. IIRC from a few years ago where people were posting screenshots from the Steam releases, there were cases where the GOG logo (or something that made it very clear it was the fixed GOG version) was showing up somewhere.

turn your work phone off and keep your private number private. Problem solved. I actually know a lot of people who just leave their work phones to their workplaces.

Well GOG not allowing their patches to be sold seemed liek the only real reason why the game would not be on GOG but on steam.

But this doesnt seem to be the case given what everyone has said.

I guess what other scenarios make sense for the game not to be on GOG but available on Steam?

I know it's not great business to advertise when they lose a game from the store, but these posts really should be more visible to the community. I saw this one after the fact.

E-mail notification would be great.

I want to KILL that bastard that invented that Motherf***ing TIN CAN PUZZLE!

it actually spelt

SHY GYPSY SLYLY SPRYLY TRYST BY MY CRYPT

I actually have it in 2 CD version I turn them into Iso files and run them through D-Fend Reloaded!

It has probably something to do with the publishing rights as some have mentioned earlier.The Steam version was published by Nightdive Studios from day one on Steam while the GOG version was published by Trilobyte(the original developer) and that contract was signed much earlier.So i guess it expired and GOG probably just needs to renegotiate a deal with Nightdive.This is of course just an assumption.We need to wait and see ;).Cheers

Nightdive have to get their grubby little mits on everything don't they?