In a deal that closed on December 31, 2025, CD Projekt Red sold GOG — the DRM-free digital storefront it had operated since 2008 — to Michal Kicinski, GOG’s original co-founder and a major CD Projekt shareholder. The price: approximately $25.2 million.
If you’re a GOG user wondering whether your library is safe, here’s the short version: it is.
Why CDPR Sold
CD Projekt stated the sale “fits the company’s long-term strategy” to focus entirely on creating RPGs based on its brands — meaning The Witcher and Cyberpunk. GOG, while a beloved platform, was never the revenue driver that game development was. By selling to a founder who genuinely cares about the platform, CDPR can focus its resources where they generate the most value.
Importantly, Kicinski’s acquisition was fully financed through committed funding and did not involve selling any of his CDPR shares — he’s keeping his stake in the company.
What It Means for DRM-Free Gaming
GOG’s official blog was emphatic: “DRM-free is more central to GOG than ever. Your library stays yours to enjoy: same access, same offline installers, same sense of ownership.”
The platforms signed a distribution agreement ensuring future CDPR games — including The Witcher 4 and the Cyberpunk 2077 sequel — will release on GOG. All existing CDPR games remain available.
GOG’s Preservation Program Is Expanding
Under its new ownership, GOG has been aggressively expanding its Preservation Program. Across 2024-2025, the program welcomed 267 games with 1,461 preservation improvements — including compatibility fixes, restored content, and stability upgrades. In February 2026 alone, 10 more games were added including The Wolf Among Us and The Last Express.
GOG also secured a dedicated game preservation panel at GDC 2026, with PC Gamer describing the company as having “ambitious plans for classic game rescue missions.” For gamers who care about keeping older titles playable on modern hardware, GOG under Kicinski may actually be stronger than GOG under CDPR.
The Bottom Line
This is one of those rare acquisitions where everyone seems to win. CDPR gets to focus on what it does best. Kicinski gets to champion the platform he helped create. And gamers get a GOG that’s more committed than ever to DRM-free distribution and game preservation. Not a bad outcome for $25 million.
What GOG Meant to PC Gaming
GOG (originally Good Old Games) launched in 2008 as a platform dedicated to DRM-free gaming. While Steam dominated with its DRM ecosystem, GOG offered an alternative where buyers truly owned their games. No online authentication, no launcher requirements, just download and play. This philosophy attracted a dedicated community of PC gamers who valued ownership over convenience.
GOG also became the definitive platform for classic game preservation. Titles that were abandoned or incompatible with modern hardware were restored and made available for purchase. Without GOG, hundreds of classic PC games would be effectively lost to time. The platform’s Galaxy client also offered optional features like cross-platform friend lists and achievement tracking without requiring them for gameplay.
What Happens to GOG Now?
The acquiring company has stated that GOG will continue operating independently with its DRM-free philosophy intact. However, acquisitions often lead to gradual changes in priorities and policies. The community is cautiously optimistic but watching closely. If the new ownership maintains GOG’s commitment to DRM-free gaming and classic preservation, the sale could provide the financial stability the platform needs to compete more effectively. If the philosophy shifts, it would represent a significant loss for consumer rights in PC gaming.
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