CD Projekt Co-Founder Acquires GOG From Steam
▼ Summary
– CD Projekt has sold its DRM-free game storefront, GOG, to its co-founder Michał Kiciński for approximately $25 million.
– The sale allows CD Projekt to focus entirely on developing its upcoming slate of video games, including new titles in its major franchises.
– GOG, known for its curated selection and game preservation program, assures customers the sale will not affect their existing libraries or DRM-free ownership.
– Despite the split, the companies have an agreement to release future CD Projekt games on the GOG platform.
– Both entities emphasize a shared commitment to game preservation, player ownership, and keeping classic games playable on modern systems.
The digital gaming landscape is shifting as CD Projekt, the renowned Polish studio behind The Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077, has finalized the sale of its GOG storefront. In a strategic move valued at approximately $25 million, co-founder Michał Kiciński has acquired full ownership of the platform, allowing CD Projekt to concentrate entirely on its ambitious development pipeline. This transaction concludes nearly two decades of GOG operating under the CD Projekt umbrella, marking a new chapter for both entities.
Company leadership emphasized this decision aligns with a focused strategy. “With our attention now completely directed toward an ambitious development roadmap and expanding our franchises with new high-quality products, we determined the timing was ideal,” explained CD Projekt co-CEO Michał Nowakowski. He expressed confidence in the transition, noting GOG is entering “very good hands” and that with Kiciński’s backing, “its future will be full of great projects and successes.”
Originally launched as Good Old Games in 2008, GOG carved out a unique niche by championing a DRM-free philosophy. This approach grants customers unparalleled control over their purchases, enabling easy backups and offline play without restrictive ownership checks. The platform distinguishes itself through a carefully selected catalog that spans major blockbusters, independent gems, and retro classics, complemented by a dedicated preservation initiative that updates older titles for modern hardware.
For the vast community of existing users, the change in ownership promises continuity. GOG has confirmed that customer libraries, offline installers, and the fundamental DRM-free ownership model will remain completely unchanged. Furthermore, the separation is amicable and includes a formal agreement to ensure future CD Projekt game releases will continue to be available on the GOG store.
“GOG and Michał Kiciński are united by a shared conviction that games should live forever,” stated GOG Managing Director Maciej Gołębiewski. He highlighted the platform’s commitment to its core mission in an increasingly crowded and walled-garden market: “We’re doubling down on what only GOG does: reviving classics, keeping them playable on modern PCs, and helping great games find their audience over time.”
Kiciński echoed this sentiment, affirming that both companies remain connected by foundational values of “freedom, independence, and a genuine sense of ownership.” He reinforced the ongoing partnership, stating, “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.”
(Source: Gizmodo)
