🛍️ Purchase PC Games on GOG (Affiliate)

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A Brief History of GOG

GOG, originally named Good Old Games, emerged from a love for classic games and has since matured into a digital sanctuary for gamers pursuing DRM-free experiences. Founded by friends Marcin Iwinski and Michal Kicinski in 2008, GOG offers a wide range of GOG games for devices that support Microsoft Windows, macOS, and the Linux platform system under the umbrella of the CD Projekt Group.

Embracing progressive content delivery strategies, GOG has effectively broadened its library to incorporate contemporary titles, thus accommodating a variety of gaming preferences.

CD Projekt Group

GOG's affiliation deal with CD Projekt Group, a renowned game developer company and one of the leading game publishers, has been instrumental in shaping the platform into a DRM-free gaming paradise. CD Projekt Red's expertise and support have been pivotal in GOG's metamorphosis from a platform focused on classic games to a diverse library teeming with both vintage and modern gaming experiences.

CD Projekt began creating and distributing their own games, notably the Witcher series, which is one of the group's registered trademarks. This move to develop and publish their own games independently highlights CD Projekt Group's dedication to quality gaming, with CD Projekt Red being the front company and driving force behind their successful titles for the pc gamer community.

Expansion to Contemporary Titles

GOG evolved alongside the gaming landscape, starting to diversify its offerings in 2012 by including contemporary games in addition to its classic gems. This expansion strategy allowed GOG to cater to a wider audience, effectively bolstering its overall growth.

Through careful game selection and a focus on customer satisfaction, GOG captured the attention of modern game developers and secured a cherished place among global gamers. GOG continues to expand its library with more games, including upcoming and future releases.

DRM-Free Gaming Experience

GOG's commitment to a DRM-free gaming experience is among its most appealing features. Digital Rights Management software (DRM software) is a technology employed by video game companies to protect copyrights and control access to digital video game content. While DRM may be well-intentioned, it often results in performance penalties, increased development costs, and limited gameplay across multiple systems, ultimately affecting both developers and gamers negatively.

Advantages of DRM-Free Games

Supporting DRM-free gaming, GOG presents numerous advantages to PC gamers. Eliminating the constraints of DRM allows gamers to enjoy their games without the hindrance of online activation servers or device compatibility limitations. Furthermore, DRM-free gaming supports the preservation of gaming history, ensuring that older games can be enjoyed by future generations and facilitating the study of gaming's cultural impact.

GOG Galaxy Client & GOG Games

GOG Galaxy, the platform's desktop app, serves as a centralized application for managing, customizing, and reporting issues related to games. It provides a comprehensive hub for gamers to connect and play with friends, create and oversee their game libraries and access a plethora of features. The launch of GOG Galaxy 2.0 Open Beta, available for both Windows and Mac, allows users to:

• View game progress
• Track achievements
• See the online status of friends
• Access games across multiple platforms

GOG Galaxy 2.0 provides a game launcher that enables users to install and launch any PC game they own, regardless of the platform. Moreover, GOG Galaxy enables synchronization of user accounts across competing platforms, fostering a cohesive gaming experience.

Users can track their achievements, hours played (time spent), and games owned across different platforms using GOG Galaxy 2.0. The app includes a friends list that aggregates friends from all connected platforms, allowing users to see their online status. Additionally, the app offers cloud saves that automatically back up user game saves and sync them across devices.

PC Games Library Management

GOG Galaxy's library management tools provide users with the ability to:

• Organize and customize their game collections with ease
• Create custom tags to manage their libraries
• Use filters to search for specific game title or genres

GOG Galaxy also lets users personalize their gaming experience by adding custom game backgrounds and covers. Users can also watch for updates and compatibility improvements, as GOG.com is known for better patching and support for older games compared to other platforms like Steam.

Multiplayer & Matchmaking

In addition auto updates to its library and account management search features, GOG Galaxy also supports multiplayer and matchmaking capabilities. Gamers can connect and play with friends across platforms like Xbox Live for cross-platform play, although GOG's version doesn't support connection with Steam players.

GOG Galaxy simplifies the process of becoming friends and joining multiplayer chat lobbies, facilitating easy connection with friends for shared gaming and chat sessions.

Game Selection on GOG

From timeless classics to fresh indie releases, GOG's game selection accommodates a broad spectrum of gaming tastes. With a vast library of games, GOG ensures that there's something for every gamer, whether they're delving into gaming history good old games, or exploring the latest releases.

Classic Titles Revival

GOG distinguishes itself from other platforms with its commitment to bringing classic pc games back for modern gamers. By preserving and restoring these treasured titles, GOG enables gamers to experience the rich history of video gaming on their modern systems. GOG's library boasts popular classic video pc games, and game genres such as:

• Action
• Adventure
• Racing & sports
• Role-playing
• Shooter
• Simulation
• Strategy

This very site ensures the preservation of older games, software and gaming history for generations to come.

Indie Game Publishers and New Releases

GOG's support for indie games and new releases is a testament to the platform's dedication to promoting diverse and innovative gaming experiences. The selection process for indie games on GOG is thorough, responsible for ensuring that only the best games make it onto the platform.

GOG's growing library of indie games and new releases, with games such as Baldur's Gate 3, Inscryption, Stardew Valley, and Dorfromantik, showcases the platform's commitment to championing the latest in gaming.

Game Preservation on GOG

Game preservation has become a vital topic in the gaming industry, and GOG stands out as a champion for keeping classic games alive and accessible. By specializing in DRM-free games, GOG ensures that older titles and beloved video game series remain available to play, even as other platforms may delist or restrict access to them. The GOG Galaxy client, while optional, enhances this experience by allowing users to manage their libraries, connect with friends, and enjoy features like cloud saves and multiplayer—all without imposing unnecessary barriers or requiring a constant internet connection.

However, the conversation around game preservation is more nuanced than simply making older games available. As Maciej Gołębiewski, GOG's managing director, has noted, expecting developers to support games indefinitely could result in fewer games being created and published. The long-term costs and technical challenges of maintaining titles far beyond their original end of life cycle can be daunting, especially for smaller studios. Gołębiewski's comments have helped kick start a broader discussion within the industry about how to balance the desire to stop killing games with the realities faced by game creators and publishers.

The Stop Killing Games campaign, which gained momentum after certain games were removed from sale, has brought much-needed attention to the issue of digital game preservation. Advocates argue that games should not simply disappear when a service is turned off or a developer moves on. Yet, maintaining every title forever is a complicated discussion, especially when considering licensing, technical support, and commercial viability.

GOG's approach to game preservation focuses on providing DRM-free versions of classic games, allowing users to truly own their games and play them on their own terms. This means that even if a game reaches the end of its commercial life, players can still access, customize, and enjoy it without worrying about online activation or future service shutdowns. Many in the community prefer the GOG version of a game for this very reason—it removes too many barriers and ensures that games live forever in their libraries.

Partnerships with industry leaders like CD Projekt and CD Projekt Red have further strengthened GOG's preservation efforts. By making iconic older titles, such as the Witcher series, available in a DRM-free format, GOG has set a standard for how classic games can be preserved and enjoyed by new generations. Initiatives like GOG Connect also allow users to link their accounts and access games they already own on other platforms, promoting a more unified and accessible gaming experience.

Community and Support

GOG takes pride in cultivating an enthusiastic and supportive community for both gamers and enthusiasts. With forums to discuss GOG gaming experiences and a dedicated customer support team, GOG ensures that its users always have access to the resources they need.

GOG Forums

GOG's active chat, forums and chat are a treasure trove of information, assistance links, and camaraderie. Users, friends and developers can partake in conversations about:

• games
• technical issues
• orders and payments
• GOG Galaxy

The forums are managed and moderated to create and maintain a welcoming atmosphere for newcomers and veterans alike, encouraging open dialogue and constructive criticism.

Customer Support

The GOG customer support team is dedicated to guaranteeing user satisfaction. Through links to visit the GOG Support Center site, users can submit requests for assistance in various areas, such as:

• Game technical issues
• Orders and payments
• Account and store-related inquiries
• GOG GALAXY-related support

Although user experiences with GOG's customer support services can be mixed, the platform's dedication to resolving issues and providing assistance remains steadfast.

Sales and Promotions

The frequent sales events and bonus content on GOG make it an attractive platform for game purchases. With seasonal sales like Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter, as well as smaller events like Halloween and Black Friday, GOG provides ample opportunities for gamers to play and snag great deals on their favorite titles.

Frequent Sales Events

The regular sales events on GOG provide discounts on a range of games and bundles, enabling gamers to grow their libraries affordably. From the Weekly Sale with discounts up to -90% to the GOG Anniversary sale, there is always an opportunity for gamers to find great deals on full versions of their favorite titles.

Keeping an eye on GOG's sales events page can lead to significant savings and an ever-growing collection of many games.

Bonus Content

Beyond sales events, GOG enriches game purchases with bonus content, including soundtracks, wallpapers, and additional game extras. This added content enhances the overall gaming experience, providing players with a little something extra to enjoy alongside their new game.

The bonus content to play varies depending on the game and promotion being played, ensuring that there's always something relevant, new, relevant and exciting to be played and discover.

GOG's Commitment to Privacy and Data Security

GOG distinguishes itself from other gaming platforms through its commitment to user privacy and data security. GOG does not access or monitor data stored locally on the user's computer, ensuring that your personal files and information remain private. With a clear policy against spying and a focus on user control over personal data, GOG demonstrates a commitment to protecting its users and their information.

No Data Spying

Unlike some other platforms, GOG offers the following benefits:

• Does not engage in data spying on users' computers or gaming habits
• Does not collect unnecessary information
• Does not share personal data with third parties

These practices ensure that users can enjoy their gaming experiences with peace of mind.

Control Over Personal Data

GOG enables users to manage their personal data with ease, offering privacy settings for data control and facilitating easy removal of imported data. With GOG, users can trust that their data is secure and their privacy respected.

Summary

GOG stands as a beacon of hope for gamers seeking a DRM-free gaming experience, a rich library of classic and contemporary titles, and a commitment to user privacy and data security. With its vibrant community, frequent sales events, and bonus content, GOG continues to shine as a digital platform that truly understands and caters to the needs of gamers and enthusiasts alike.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is GOG safe and legit?

GOG.com does not store personal account information, making it a safe and reliable website for gamers. It is a legit website, recommended for anyone looking to download, play or purchase games.

What is GOG used for?

GOG is a digital distribution company, store and download platform for video games and films, offering users DRM-free downloads of titles for Microsoft Windows, macOS and Linux. It has many games and also provides a library to access games and build a curated collection.

Why is GOG popular?

GOG's DRM-free gaming options, its wide variety of classic titles, good old games, and its optimized games for new systems are what make it a popular destination store for PC gamers. With its strong selection of games and focus on retro titles, GOG is an ideal choice store for those looking to jump into the history of PC gaming.

Is GOG better then Steam?

While Steam offers customers and friends a larger selection of games, more brand recognition and frequent sales, GOG focuses on DRM-free and classic games. This includes games from well known publishers like Ubisoft. Therefore, whether GOG is better than Steam ultimately depends on customers and friends' individual preferences and gaming needs.

What sets GOG apart from other gaming platforms?

GOG stands out from other platforms due to its DRM-free gaming, diverse library, and focus on user privacy and data security, making it a great choice for gamers.

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