Over the years, GOG has evolved from a platform primarily dedicated to classic games into a more diverse storefront that now includes a growing selection of modern blockbusters. This transition has led some to view GOG as a slightly dustier, DRM-free alternative to Steam. However, GOG has recently announced a renewed commitment to not only selling vintage titles but also enhancing them for contemporary hardware. This initiative will be highlighted by a distinctive badge on the games that undergo this restoration process.
The GOG Preservation Program
The newly launched GOG Preservation Program builds upon the store’s previous efforts to restore older games, such as the recent updates to Alpha Protocol and the original Resident Evil trilogy. This program also incorporates elements reminiscent of Valve’s Steam Deck Verified system, which indicates how well a game performs on the handheld device.
Initially, GOG’s in-house developers will focus on eliminating bugs and integrating essential features—such as modern video codecs and compatibility with Windows 10/11—that might hinder gameplay on current PCs. Once a game successfully navigates this process, it will receive a certified “Good Old Game” badge on its store listing, signaling that it is ready to play without the need for unofficial patches or modifications.
Games that earn this badge will represent “the most complete version available,” encompassing all downloadable content (DLC), expansions, and even supplementary materials like manuals and alternative language options. Additionally, they will include offline installers and, of course, remain free of DRM restrictions.
To kick off this initiative, GOG is relaunching over 100 games with the Good Old Game status. Notable titles include the Resident Evil series (1, 2, and 3), the original Diablo along with its Hellfire expansion, System Shock 2, Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines, both the original Fallout and Fallout: New Vegas, The Curse of Monkey Island, and X-COM: UFO Defense, among many others. For those eager to revisit these classics, the full list is available for review.
According to GOG, “Our goal is for all games, whether recent or classic, to eventually become part of the Preservation Program.” They acknowledge a significant backlog of classic titles that may qualify for the program, although the team has yet to confirm their eligibility. While GOG aims to support as many games as possible, the process is not solely within their control.
Indeed, restoration projects require permission from the original developers or publishers to access the games’ code, a request that is not always granted. Furthermore, GOG operates as a business, prioritizing game sales over the notion of preserving them in a digital museum or distributing them to those who still possess original CD-ROM copies.
Despite these challenges, the emergence of a healthy game preservation pipeline is a positive development, especially in light of recent frustrations among players who have resorted to legal action against publishers for rendering games unplayable through server shutdowns. GOG’s commitment to producing offline-compatible, preservation-friendly semi-remasters is a timely and welcome return to their roots, and one can only hope they continue this endeavor for the foreseeable future.
