DRM-free Archives

AppWizard

January 13, 2026

‘Steam is winning with its ease of use,’ GOG’s new owner says, but he’s not interested in picking a fight: ‘I think much can be done in GOG without losing its core values and the way it operates’

CD Projekt sold its DRM-free digital storefront, GOG, to co-founder Michal Kiciński at the end of 2025. GOG has transitioned from focusing solely on classic titles to including newer releases, but it remains a niche player in the gaming market and has not generated substantial revenue for CD Projekt. Kiciński and GOG's managing director, Maciej Gołębiewski, expressed optimism about GOG's potential, emphasizing its unique position and mission to ensure games endure over time. GOG is expanding its catalog of new releases, particularly from independent studios, without aiming to compete directly with Steam in terms of volume. GOG is known for being a curated platform, contrasting with Steam's high volume of releases, and Kiciński acknowledged the need for GOG to improve its user-friendly features while maintaining its core values. GOG will continue to uphold its commitment to being a DRM-free platform, which Kiciński stated is a core value that will not change in the foreseeable future.

AppWizard

December 31, 2025

CD Projekt co-founder buys back GOG, promises The Witcher 4 and Cyberpunk 2 will still launch on the PC storefront

CD Projekt has returned its PC gaming storefront, GOG, to co-founder Michal Kicinski. GOG, established in 2008, aims to provide a DRM-free platform for gamers. The platform has evolved to include a variety of titles and is involved in restoring classic games. GOG will maintain its core operations and commitment to being DRM-free, with GOG Galaxy as an optional feature. Upcoming titles from CD Projekt Red, including The Witcher 4 and Cyberpunk 2, will still be available on GOG. The company will continue to operate autonomously and support its community through programs like the Patron program and the Preservation Program, with new initiatives planned for 2026 to enhance user engagement and support indie developers.

AppWizard

December 30, 2025

GOG crawls out from under CD Projekt Red with a new owner and teases ‘ambitious’ plans for classic game ‘rescue missions’ starting next year

GOG, a digital storefront known for classic and DRM-free gaming, has transitioned to the ownership of Michal Kicinski, a co-founder of GOG, which launched in 2008. Under Kicinski's leadership, GOG aims to expand its library of classic titles and enhance the gaming experience, although specific initiatives have yet to be detailed. CD Projekt Red will continue to support GOG, ensuring that both existing and upcoming titles from the studio remain available on the platform. GOG may also serve as a refuge for unconventional titles, as demonstrated by the psychological horror game Horses, which was banned from other platforms but found success on GOG.

AppWizard

December 29, 2025

CD Projekt Sells DRM-Free PC Storefront GOG to Original Co-Founder for $25.2 Million, Insists It’s Financially Stable

CD Projekt has sold its DRM-free PC storefront, GOG, to co-founder Michał Kiciński for 90.7 million Polish złoty (approximately .2 million). Kiciński, who co-founded GOG in 2008 and holds a 10% stake in CD Projekt, will lead GOG independently while maintaining its DRM-free philosophy. A distribution agreement between CD Projekt and GOG has been established for future collaboration, including the release of upcoming CD Projekt Red titles on the GOG platform. CD Projekt aims to focus on video game development, including The Witcher 4 and Cyberpunk 2, following the sale. GOG has remained financially stable and continues to attract gamers with its mission. CD Projekt previously employed 1,335 staff.

AppWizard

December 29, 2025

GOG’s Steam-alternative PC game store is leaving CD Projekt, staying DRM-free

Michał Kiciński, co-founder of GOG and CD Projekt, has acquired the preservation-focused game marketplace GOG for .2 million. GOG remains committed to DRM-free gaming, emphasizing that games purchased by players belong to them permanently. The acquisition will not affect GOG's relationship with CD Projekt, which will continue to sell its titles, including The Witcher series and Cyberpunk 2077, on the GOG marketplace.

AppWizard

December 28, 2025

Steam has quietly become the best place to buy videogame soundtracks—even for games that were never released on PC

The text discusses the evolution of video game music and highlights various soundtracks available for gamers. It mentions that accessing game soundtracks has become easier with platforms like Steam, where Capcom offers over 100 albums, including titles like Monster Hunter Wilds and Street Fighter 6. The release of Overture included an updated soundtrack with 51 new tracks at no extra cost. Virtua Fighter 5's soundtrack features 531 tracks for £30, providing a comprehensive history of 3D fighting games. A modern reimagining of the Chinese RPG You Cheng Huan Jian Lu has made its soundtrack available at a low price, while Clair Obscur’s award-winning soundtrack is set to release on CD next February as an eight-disc set, with a DRM-free Steam version available at half the price, including new remixes and tracks.

AppWizard

December 27, 2025

The best digital game sales right now on PC, PlayStation, Switch, and Xbox

Gamers can take advantage of significant discounts on major digital gaming platforms as the holiday season ends. Discounts reach up to 90% on select titles, with notable games from 2023, such as Split Fiction, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, and Assassin’s Creed Shadows, available at 30% to 50% off. The Steam Winter Sale features discounts on titles like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (20% off), Baldur’s Gate 3 (25% off), and Kingdom Come: Deliverance II (50% off). The GOG Winter Sale offers DRM-free games, including Heroes of Might and Magic 3 Complete (50% off) and The Witcher series (85% off). The Nintendo eShop Sale includes Super Mario Odyssey (30% off) and Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance (60% off). The PlayStation Holiday Sale features discounts on Arc Raiders (20% off) and Elden Ring (35% off). The Xbox Countdown Sale offers discounts on Battlefield 6 (30% off) and Hogwarts Legacy: Deluxe Edition (85% off). The sales conclude between January 2 and January 21, 2026, depending on the platform.

AppWizard

December 10, 2025

The predecessor to one of Xbox’s biggest new games is getting delisted from a popular PC gaming store — you have less than a week to get it

GOG announced that two games, Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey and The Outer Worlds, will be removed from its catalog on December 15. Both titles were published by Private Division, a subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive. The 2023 Spacer's Choice Edition of The Outer Worlds will also be delisted on the same date. These games will still be available on other platforms, including Steam, Epic Games Store, Xbox, and PlayStation consoles. Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey is currently priced at .99, while The Outer Worlds is priced at .99, and the Spacer's Choice Edition is at its full MSRP of .99. The reasons for the delistings are unclear, but they may be related to the sale of Private Division.

AppWizard

December 3, 2025

One of the biggest and best game mods of all time is now a one-click install on GOG — but there’s one huge downside

The "One-Click Mod" system on GOG allows users to install and play mods with a single click, including the STALKER GAMMA modpack for STALKER Anomaly. To use this feature, players must own either STALKER: Call of Pripyat or STALKER 2 on GOG. Call of Pripyat is priced at .99, while STALKER 2 is priced at .99, both with current discounts. Players who own these titles on Steam may find it unappealing to repurchase them on GOG and can alternatively install GAMMA through Discord. Users are advised to download mods from reputable sources to ensure safety.

AppWizard

December 2, 2025

Epic bans indie horror game Horses just one day before launch due to ‘inappropriate content’, despite having approved that content weeks ago

The horror game Horses has been banned from both Steam and Epic Games for violating policies on "inappropriate content" and "hateful or abusive content." Epic Games informed publisher Santa Ragione of the ban just one day before the game's scheduled launch on its platform, without specifying how the game violated guidelines. Santa Ragione's appeal was rejected within 12 hours, also without clarification. While Epic suggested the game could be updated to meet compliance standards, they did not provide specific guidance on necessary changes. Horses contains elements of nudity and adult themes, contributing to the sensitivity surrounding its release. Despite the bans, the game is still available on platforms like GOG, Itch.io, and the Humble Store, which shifted to a DRM-free distribution model.