GOG is no longer under the shadow of CD Projekt Red, and they're ready to take some risks! This bold move could reshape the digital gaming landscape, but it also begs the question: Can GOG truly thrive on its own? For 17 years, GOG has been known for resurrecting classic games and offering DRM-free titles, including those from CD Projekt Red. Now, things are about to get interesting...
Michał Kiciński, a co-founder of both GOG and CD Projekt (before his departure in 2012), has stepped in as the new owner, and he's already hinting at a significant shift: indie game publishing. He also co-owns Retrovibe, an indie game publisher known for retro-inspired titles like Project Warlock, Shardpunk, and BIOTA. Imagine GOG supporting similar titles and giving them a wider platform! "One of the directions which were not that much possible in the past is evolving GOG more into publishing business, and that's something we will certainly discuss," Kiciński stated.
But here's where it gets controversial... Could this move dilute GOG's focus on classic games, the very thing that earned them a loyal following? Kiciński is quick to clarify that no decisions have been finalized as of yet. He explains that under CD Projekt Red's umbrella, GOG's publishing ambitions were limited. CD Projekt Red understandably prioritized their own games, leaving little room for external projects. As Kiciński put it, "This opens a whole new area of activities for GOG which was not that much possible together with CD Projekt Red as one group, because at CD Projekt Red, all publishing activities were connected with their own games, and they didn't want to spread attention into some other topics."
To fully grasp the significance of this change, it's important to understand GOG's history. GOG was always a part of CD Projekt, the parent company of CD Projekt Red. However, as CD Projekt Red's success with games like The Witcher 3 skyrocketed, it became the dominant force, overshadowing GOG's original purpose. This led to the decision to put GOG up for sale last year.
Now, with Kiciński at the helm, GOG has the autonomy to chart its own course. Leaving the perceived safety net of CD Projekt Red might seem daunting. GOG undoubtedly benefited from its association with the gaming giant, leveraging attractive price promotions on CD Projekt Red titles. However, this relationship also presented limitations. As Kiciński explained, "It's quite a common business situation when you have two entities of very different sizes in one group, and naturally, the attention and resources goes to the bigger part and the smaller part has some benefits but also has some difficulties in being a much smaller brother in such an environment."
And this is the part most people miss... Being a privately owned company, GOG no longer has to answer to external investors. This newfound freedom allows for quicker decision-making and a greater appetite for risk. Maciej Gołębiewski, GOG's managing director, emphasizes the contrast with the increasingly complex and geographically dispersed CD Projekt Red. "GOG is a fairly small and nimble company. Having one single owner simplifies a lot of things in terms of potential decision making or risk appetite. A big company that's listed on a public stock exchange: it's probably a little bit more complicated or complex to execute risky stuff." Kiciński echoes this sentiment, stating, "I know from the other projects I'm involved in, the decision making process is super easy. I'm super accessible and decisions can be made fast, and also, I'm not afraid of risk as a private investor."
Despite the potential shift towards indie game publishing, GOG's core values remain intact. The focus on restoring classic games and offering DRM-free titles will continue to be a priority. Furthermore, the strong relationship with CD Projekt Red will persist, thanks to a six-year deal that provides GOG with favorable rates. The physical proximity of the two companies, housed within the same office complex, and Kiciński's significant stake in CD Projekt further solidify their continued collaboration.
It's still early days, though. The deal was only finalized in mid-December, and Kiciński himself wasn't certain it would go through until the very end. He confirmed that there were other bidders interested in acquiring GOG. His first day back in the office on January 8th marked the true beginning of planning for the future. "What we agreed already is that GOG can improve on what's doing right now," he said. "We also discussed that there is no need for any pivots or changes in philosophy or something like that. GOG has a very special place on the market, very unique values, very loyal customers, and we appreciate that, and we want to build up on that, not changing too much... And that's it. Then we have a few weeks and months to work out the bigger strategy for the future. But for sure, we have a big appetite for the growth of GOG."
So, what do you think? Is GOG's move into indie publishing a smart strategic decision, or does it risk alienating their core audience? Will their independence allow them to thrive, or will they miss the support of CD Projekt Red? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
