In a bold move to safeguard gaming history, GOG, a subsidiary of CD Projekt, has unveiled the GOG Preservation Program, a dedicated initiative aimed at ensuring the longevity of over 100 beloved titles. Among the games included in this program are iconic classics such as Fallout: New Vegas, The Witcher 2: Assassin’s of Kings, and Resident Evil. This program reflects GOG’s commitment to maintaining compatibility with both current and future systems in an ever-evolving digital landscape.
Preserving Gaming Heritage
“The GOG Preservation Program is our commitment to preserving gaming history,” GOG stated. The initiative promises players that their cherished games will remain accessible and functional on modern PC setups. GOG aims to provide the most comprehensive versions of these titles, including manuals, downloadable content (DLC), and any previously missing features. This commitment is further supported by GOG’s tech support and offline installers, ensuring that these classics can be enjoyed for years to come.
Currently, the program boasts a collection of 108 games, featuring titles like Dragon Age Origins, System Shock 2, The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind, Legacy of Kain: Defiance, Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, Resident Evil 2, Resident Evil 3, and Mad Max. GOG has plans to expand this list, adding more games as time progresses.
In light of the rapid technological advancements, GOG recognizes the pressing need to preserve video games from fading into obscurity. “The GOG Preservation Program is committed to keeping beloved classics alive and playable for future generations,” the company emphasized. Their ambition is to eventually include all games—both recent and classic—into the Preservation Program.
To qualify for the program, each game undergoes a rigorous quality assessment. If a title does not meet GOG’s standards, the team will work diligently to enhance it until it achieves the necessary quality. Only after passing these evaluations will a game receive the coveted stamp of approval, marking it as a Good Old Game.
While there is a substantial backlog of classic games on GOG that may already be eligible for the program, the team is still in the process of confirming their status. GOG aims to support as many games as possible, although the pace of this initiative is influenced by various factors.
The urgency of this initiative resonates with gamers globally, who are increasingly concerned about the potential obsolescence of both new and old titles. A notable instance is The Crew, an online-only game that Ubisoft removed from sale and took offline in March, rendering it unplayable. Released in 2014, it now exists only as a memory. This situation highlights the vulnerability of online games, but even single-player titles face similar risks. For example, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor launched with only part of the game available on disc, requiring additional downloads for full access, thus complicating its physical existence without an internet connection.
Looking ahead, GOG envisions hundreds of games entering the Preservation Program by the end of 2025. The evaluation process for each game is thorough, ensuring that only those meeting GOG’s high standards are included. As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, GOG remains steadfast in its mission to preserve the rich tapestry of gaming history for future generations.
Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He’ll talk about The Witcher all day.
