TL;DR at bottom

Hey guys, I've recently just built my first gaming computer and noticed there's a massive sale happening here (yay, great timing) but I've always had an issue with GOG and I was hoping someone could shed some light on the subject.

I remember reading about a sale here way back and the whole reason for the sale was because GOG was going to be removing those particular games soon. This has always made me weary of buying anything here and I want to change that. Basically I was hoping someone could clarify what exactly happens when GOG removes titles. Do they get rid of them and the files so after a point you are completely out of luck? Do they just remove them from the store but keep all the files so you can still download them whenever you want (if you own them already of course)? Some magical third option?

Now I'm pretty sure I remember this as being a thing but if this isn't a thing, guess I'm just completely crazy.

Thanks

TL;DR If GOG removes a game do they keep the files so you can still download it later?

The games stay in your account for download at any and all times. Only if a company explicitly states otherwise will the games be removed from your account, and GOG generally provides a voucher and statement in those cases.

They keep the games and all extras available for download.

damnit ninja'd and proven wrong !

Just like to add that due to the DRM free nature you could download the installation files and back them on USB/HD/DVD.

which i always do

10 blu rays right now
i fear the collection may grow

Wow those were some quick replies. thanks everyone! I realised the games were DRM-free but I didn't know you could back them up and install them that way.

some pics to confirm that removed games which i bought are still on my shelf indeed.

GOG can not change the game you had already installed to remove half of the licensed music. when did that happen?

responses here tend to be fast
...if quite unsane and dont be surprised fi your thread gets derailed

Only 10 Blu Rays? Bad kitty! Go and buy some games! ;-)

but but i got enough to play !

( you dont want to know how big my steam back up is )

There was a stink earlier this year. A game had to be removed without notification, and I think it had to be removed from the website in its entirety as well. A blue-name would probably be able to answer this better as I don't remember the game.

The only case I can recall is Imperial Glory's mac version, since it turns out GOG didn't have the rights to sell said version. There have been cases when a removed game disappeared from the shelves, but that is usually temporary and is fixed in a day or two. Has happened as early as Chessmaster 9000.

There have been many games that have been removed from sale, but not a single one has been removed from accounts. Extras, yes, but not games themselves.
And as late as Blade of Darkness (the last one to have been removed as of yet).