CD Projekt has made a significant move by selling its DRM-free PC storefront, GOG, to co-founder Michał Kiciński for 90.7 million Polish złoty, roughly equivalent to .2 million. Kiciński, who co-founded GOG in 2008, has been an integral part of CD Projekt since its inception and currently holds a 10% stake in the company.
Strategic Shift for CD Projekt
This sale aligns with CD Projekt’s long-term strategy, as outlined in a recent FAQ. The Polish gaming giant, renowned for blockbuster titles such as The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077, aims to concentrate its efforts on video game development and related projects. Currently, the company is actively working on The Witcher 4 and Cyberpunk 2.
“Selling GOG fits CD Projekt’s long-term strategy,” the company stated. “We want to focus our full attention on creating top-quality RPGs and providing our fans with other forms of entertainment based on our brands. This deal allows us to maintain that focus while giving GOG the support it needs to pursue its own mission.”
Kiciński expressed his enthusiasm for the transition, stating, “From the very beginning, GOG has always been built on strong values and clear principles. When Marcin Iwiński and I came up with the idea for GOG, the vision was simple: bring classic games back to players and ensure that once you buy a game, it truly belongs to you — forever.”
Independent Future for GOG
Under Kiciński’s leadership, GOG will continue to operate independently, adhering to its DRM-free philosophy. Following the sale, a distribution agreement between CD Projekt and GOG has been established, outlining the terms of their future collaboration, which includes plans to release upcoming CD Projekt Red titles on the GOG platform.
“CD Projekt and GOG share the same roots and values: freedom, independence, and a genuine sense of ownership,” Kiciński added. “I believe that CD Projekt, with its exceptional AAA games, will stand, as always, behind the GOG offering — making GOG the best place on the planet to purchase The Witcher and Cyberpunk games, both existing titles and the new ones we all anticipate so much.”
Kiciński, a self-proclaimed mature gamer, also emphasized the importance of classic games, stating that they can bring as much joy as newer releases. He expressed his commitment to preserving classic titles and hinted at the development of several new games with a retro spirit, set to make their debut on GOG in 2026.
Looking Ahead
Michał Nowakowski, joint CEO of CD Projekt, remarked on the timing of the sale, noting, “With our focus now fully on an ambitious development roadmap and expanding our franchises with new high-quality products, we felt this was the right time for this move.”
He further assured that GOG is in capable hands, stating, “We are convinced that with the support of Michał Kiciński, one of GOG’s co-founders, its future will be full of great projects and successes. We would like to thank the GOG team for years of fruitful cooperation and wish them all the best.”
Despite facing competition from Steam, GOG has maintained its unique position in the market with its no-DRM policy. Addressing concerns about financial stability, the company confirmed that GOG is stable and has experienced a positive year, with increasing enthusiasm from gamers towards its mission.
As CD Projekt moves forward, it can now streamline its operations by separating GOG from its business structure, which previously employed 1,335 staff. The company continues to develop exciting projects within the The Witcher franchise, including a new trilogy featuring Ciri, a remake, and Project Sirius, alongside the anticipated Cyberpunk 2 and a new IP, Project Hadar.
