In a bold move to champion creative freedom in the gaming industry, GOG (Good Old Games) has unveiled a new platform, FreedomtoBuy.games, in collaboration with various developers. This initiative allows users to download select “adult” games at no cost, reflecting GOG’s commitment to combat what it perceives as the “quiet erasure of creative works from digital shelves.” This response comes in light of recent actions taken by Steam and Itch, both of which have removed certain violent and sexually explicit titles from their platforms.
Game Offerings and Preservation Efforts
For a limited time of 48 hours, GOG is providing access to 13 games, some of which have stirred controversy and others that fall under the category of “NSFW visual novels,” a genre that has become prevalent in the realm of adult gaming. Among the notable titles available for download is POSTAL 2, an open-world game notorious for its graphic violence. This title has a history of being banned in New Zealand since 2004 and was removed from the German version of Steam in 2016. Another significant inclusion is HuniePop, a game that has been explicitly prohibited from being streamed by Twitch content creators due to its adult themes.
GOG’s initiative is not solely about making these games accessible; it also emphasizes the importance of preserving a diverse array of gaming experiences. The platform has made considerable efforts to ensure that these titles remain compatible with modern hardware, underscoring a dedication to maintaining the integrity of gaming history.
The motivation behind this initiative also highlights the ease with which digital storefronts can be influenced to remove content. Valve’s recent decision to delist certain titles from Steam was attributed to a new policy mandating compliance with the standards set by payment processors. Similarly, Itch cited pressure from a nonprofit organization, Collective Shout, as a reason for its own delistings, which have included indie games like VILE: Exhumed, primarily due to their potentially uncomfortable content.
In response to these challenges, Itch is actively working to reinstate as many games as possible on its platform. The company is restoring free NSFW titles and is currently in discussions with payment partners to facilitate the return of paid games to its storefront.
