In a significant shift for the PC gaming landscape, CD Projekt has divested its long-held digital storefront, GOG.com. The move sees the platform, known for its staunch DRM-free philosophy and focus on game preservation, return to the stewardship of one of its original creators. This transaction raises questions about the future of niche storefronts in a market dominated by giants and highlights the evolving priorities of a major game developer.
The Acquisition and Its Immediate Impact
CD Projekt, the Polish developer behind The Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077, announced the sale of its GOG.com storefront to Michał Kiciński, a co-founder of both companies. The deal, valued at approximately USD 25 million, transfers 100% ownership of GOG to Kiciński. In a press release, CD Projekt co-CEO Michał Nowakowski stated the sale allows the company to concentrate fully on its "ambitious development roadmap" for new games. He expressed confidence in the transition, noting GOG was going into "very good hands." For existing customers, GOG has assured that the change in ownership will be seamless. User libraries, funds, and the critical DRM-free nature of all purchases—including access to offline installers—will remain unchanged. The two companies have also signed an agreement ensuring future CD Projekt titles will continue to launch on the GOG platform.
Key Deal Details
- Acquirer: Michał Kiciński, co-founder of both CD Projekt and GOG.
- Seller: CD Projekt S.A.
- Asset Sold: 100% of GOG.com (Good Old Games).
- Reported Sale Price: Approximately USD 25 million.
- Announcement Date: December 29, 2025.
Financial Pressures and Strategic Shifts
While both parties present the deal as a positive strategic move, financial context from CD Projekt's own reporting suggests underlying pressures. The company's 2024 annual report revealed that GOG's profits had plummeted by 88.9% compared to 2023. This sharp decline is attributed largely to the absence of a major new release from CD Projekt itself following the Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty expansion. Although GOG has hosted other significant titles, none have generated comparable revenue. In response to these challenges, GOG has experimented with new monetization strategies throughout the year, including customer surveys about a potential subscription service and the introduction of optional donation prompts during checkout. Most recently, the store launched a "Patron" program, a USD 5 monthly subscription that directly funds GOG's game preservation efforts, allowing subscribers to vote on which classic titles are updated for modern systems.
GOG's Recent Financial & Operational Context
- Financial Performance (CD Projekt 2024 Report): GOG profits fell 88.9% year-over-year from 2023 to 2024.
- Recent User-Facing Initiatives:
- Survey on potential subscription service interest (March 2025).
- Introduction of optional customer donations at checkout (June 2025).
- Launch of "GOG Patron" program (USD 5/month) to directly fund game preservation (December 2025).
The Future of a DRM-Free Bastion
The core identity of GOG remains its commitment to DRM-free gaming and the preservation of classic PC titles. Launched in 2008 as "Good Old Games," the platform has carved out a unique niche by not only selling games without restrictive digital rights management but also actively updating older titles to ensure they remain playable. In statements following the acquisition, both Kiciński and GOG Managing Director Maciej Gołębiewski emphasized a shared mission to protect gaming history. "In a market that’s getting more crowded, more locked-in, and forgets classic games at an increasing pace, we’re doubling down on what only GOG does," Gołębiewski said. Kiciński echoed this, highlighting the shared values of "freedom, independence, and a genuine sense of ownership" between the now-separate entities.
Customer Assurance Post-Acquisition GOG's official FAQ confirms the following for users:
- No changes to game libraries, wallets, or account access.
- All games remain DRM-free with offline installers.
- User personal data and donations are not transferred to the new owner.
- A new publishing agreement ensures future CD Projekt games (e.g., new Witcher, Cyberpunk titles) will be available on GOG.
Unanswered Questions and Long-Term Viability
The sale effectively removes GOG's financial performance from CD Projekt's future balance sheets, allowing the developer to present a cleaner financial picture focused solely on game development. However, it leaves the long-term commercial viability of GOG as an independent entity under a single owner as an open question. The store's recent initiatives, like the Patron program, indicate a pivot towards a community-supported model to fund its preservation work, a costly and non-revenue-generating endeavor. While the commitment to its core principles is clear, the acquisition ultimately represents a bet that a dedicated, curated, and DRM-free storefront can sustain itself in a market increasingly defined by subscription services and platform exclusivity.