CD Projekt co-founder Michal Kicinski has acquired ownership of game web store Good Old Games (GOG for short). As a service developer, Kicinski has been observing the state of cloud and online gaming. Companies have slowly erased games by delisting and giving them an end-of-service date, never to be played again.
Even gamers are frustrated by being unable to play a game they want to try. And the latest problem in the industry is not having the hardware necessary to play modern titles. Kicinski and CD Projekt stated their mission to continue preserving older games and give GOG consumers full library ownership.
The Rising Issues with Digital Gaming
Since the introduction of digital game downloads, more AAA developers and publishers are moving further away from producing physical copies. Yet in recent years, digital ownership has become more restricted and limited. The largest online gaming platform, Steam, holds a long history of titles disappearing from its sales library. The main reasons for delisting games include a studio’s closure, a developer’s separation from a publisher, limited licensing agreements, a lack of online activity or sales, and controversy.
GOG is one of the leading gaming web stores that not only provides PC games but also offers two methods of installation. They provide their desktop app, GOG Galaxy, that acts similarly to Steam. It holds a library of the games you purchase and can install them on your computer. Over time, Galaxy will notify you of game updates and additional content.
Their second method is the traditional installer execution file. The customer downloads it from GOG’s website and can manually install the game offline after purchase. This gives gamers a sense of freedom to play the game at any time. Game developer site Itch.io offers similar access to demos and completed projects.
Unfortunately, gamers are experiencing more modern games being removed from sales or having reached their end-of-service terms. Some delisted games, like Ubisoft’s The Crew, had players who purchased the game and were later removed from their designated game libraries. Their desire to experience a title will drive them to emulate the game on their computer. Game piracy has evolved into an act of rebellion against AAA game companies rather than doing it for profit.
Consumer movement Stop Killing Games has raised this issue with the European Union. On Nov. 3, EU Minister Stephanie Peacock decided to have the UK government closely monitor game companies that failed to comply with the Consumer Act (2015) and the Digital Market and Consumer Act (2024). However, she acknowledged that there is no law prohibiting disabling video games.
Stop Killing Games is currently cooperating with the EU in drafting the Digital Fairness Act. While it can’t prevent games from being delisted, it will help improve protections on digital rights management. Not only will this amendment help protect consumers’ purchases, but it will also help game developers defend their work on a game project.
Playdeadco-founder Dino Patti raised the issue with GamesIndustry.biz. The Limbo dev is scheduled for a November 2026 case with his former studio partner, Arnt Jensen. Jensen is debating for the rights to post about the noir platformer after Patti posted his contributions on LinkedIn.
He explained, “In Denmark, we don’t have fair use the same way as other countries. […] I’ve submitted many things to the court about the [9-year period] and how he tried to take over the company in crazy ways. […] He’s trying to delete the story of Playdead very aggressively. He’s removed me from the credits, disputing that I was a co-founder, he’s writing s*** about me…And those are the things I want to fight and prove.”
CD Projekt’s Mission to Preserve GOG
As these issues persist in gaming, Kicinski wants to continue GOG’s philosophy. Allow their consumers to own their games, online and offline, and further promote their Preservation Program. This program focuses on rescuing games that either couldn’t be remastered on modern hardware or haven’t met the demand for a remake. Due to more AAA companies cracking down on emulation as piracy, GOG relies on donations and the community’s suggestions on which titles to rescue.
In 2025, two of Capcom’s PS1 Classics, Dino Crisis and Breath of Fire IV, were revived and revamped to be played on modern computers. Despite fans wanting a Dino Crisis remake, the Megaman studio chose to focus more on future projects, such as Resident Evil: Requiem and Pragmata. As for Breath of Fire IV, it usually fell into its predecessor’s shadow, Breath of Fire III. Yet the JRPG community wanted the underrated gem to be widely available for later generations to experience its stunning visuals and dynamic turn-based combat.
GOG has successfully rescued 267 games. Their most recent rescue is the Total War series, a real-time strategy battle simulator. The series even had crossovers with the popular MMO, Warhammer. While they cannot fight delistings for selected titles, Kicinski ensures that any purchase made during its sales lifetime will stay with you forever.
“GOG will remain independent in its operations,” he said in the newsletter. “We will continue building a platform that’s ethical, non-predatory, and made to last, while helping indie developers reach the world. We’re also committed to giving the community a strong voice, with new initiatives planned for 2026.”
