Blizzard Entertainment has announced the delisting of Warcraft I and II from GOG, the sole PC gaming platform where these iconic real-time strategy games were available outside of Blizzard’s own Battle.net. This decision follows the recent release of remastered versions of both titles, which have garnered mixed reviews from fans and critics alike. In a move that reflects a growing trend in the gaming industry, GOG is leveraging this situation to reinforce its commitment to game preservation.
GOG’s Preservation Initiative
Last month, GOG, a subsidiary of CD Projekt Red known for titles like The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077, unveiled a new preservation program aimed at ensuring that classic PC games remain accessible and functional on modern hardware. Among the early titles included in this initiative are the original versions of Resident Evil and Diablo. Despite the impending removal of Warcraft I and II from its storefront on December 13th, GOG has assured players that existing copies will continue to receive updates and support.
“Once a game joins the Program, we pledge to maintain its compatibility even if it gets delisted from the store,” GOG stated in a recent announcement. “This means that owners of those titles can still expect a seamless experience and tech support for those titles. This also considers potential changes in Windows OS that may impact games’ playability.”
The delisting comes at the request of Blizzard, now under the umbrella of Microsoft, which has opted to halt sales of the bundle of these classic games following the launch of its own remastered versions priced at . This trend raises concerns among gamers about the accessibility of original, more affordable versions of beloved titles.
While the new remasters introduce several quality-of-life enhancements, such as improved unit selection, they have faced criticism for their visual style, with some players describing the graphics as less than appealing. The remastered versions feature new black outlines and art that some feel appears to be poorly upscaled by AI. Although players have the option to revert to classic graphics, many have noted that these visuals do not adequately address the changes in aspect ratio and display technology.
In light of the delisting, GOG is offering a discount for those who purchase the classic versions before they are removed from the platform. “We are grateful for the opportunity to work with Blizzard on these titles,” the company remarked. “While the delisting is unfortunate, we assure you that every user who already owns these games on GOG will continue to benefit from our commitment and have access to versions that remain compatible with modern systems, preserving their experience for years to come.”
