TL;DR
GOG, the preservation-focused PC game storefront founded in 2008, has been acquired from CD Projekt by its co-founder Michał Kiciński for $25.2 million. The marketplace and its GOG Galaxy platform will operate under Kiciński’s ownership and will remain DRM-free, the company said.
What happened
In an update published Monday, GOG announced that Michał Kiciński — who co-founded CD Projekt and helped launch GOG in 2008 — has bought the digital storefront and its online platform GOG Galaxy from CD Projekt for $25.2 million. The move separates the Steam-alternative, preservation-focused marketplace from the larger game studio that originally created it. The announcement specified that the acquisition will not alter GOG’s DRM-free stance. Beyond the change of ownership and the inclusion of the GOG Galaxy service in the sale, the company did not detail further operational or strategic shifts in the update. The transaction returns the storefront to direct control by one of its original founders and signals an ownership restructure, while publicly reaffirming the platform’s existing consumer-facing policies.
Why it matters
- Independence from CD Projekt may give GOG more freedom to set its own commercial and preservation priorities.
- A continued DRM-free policy preserves a key differentiator between GOG and larger competitors that rely on DRM.
- Ownership by an original founder could reassure users who value the site’s focus on game preservation and consumer rights.
- Changes in ownership can affect future partnerships, catalog decisions, and development of the GOG Galaxy platform.
Key facts
- GOG was launched in 2008 as a PC gaming marketplace with a focus on preservation.
- Michał Kiciński, a co-founder of CD Projekt, acquired GOG and GOG Galaxy from CD Projekt.
- The reported purchase price for the deal was $25.2 million.
- The announcement was made in an update on Monday (per the report).
- GOG is described as a Steam-alternative digital storefront.
- The company stated the acquisition will not change GOG’s DRM-free policy.
- GOG Galaxy, the platform component included in the sale, was part of the acquisition.
What to watch next
- Whether Kiciński implements changes to GOG’s catalog, pricing, or platform features — not confirmed in the source.
- Potential development or strategic shifts for the GOG Galaxy client under new ownership — not confirmed in the source.
- Any future partnerships or licensing deals that could follow the ownership change — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- GOG: A digital storefront for PC games known for selling DRM-free titles and for a focus on preserving older games.
- DRM: Digital rights management; technologies used to control how digital content is used and distributed.
- GOG Galaxy: GOG’s online platform and optional client software for game management, matchmaking, and social features.
- Digital storefront: An online marketplace where software, games, or media can be purchased and downloaded.
- CD Projekt: A video game company that co-founded GOG and is known for developing and publishing games.
Reader FAQ
Who bought GOG?
Michał Kiciński, a co-founder of CD Projekt, acquired GOG.
How much was the deal worth?
$25.2 million, according to the announcement.
Will GOG stop being DRM-free?
The company said the acquisition will not change GOG’s DRM-free policy.
Is GOG still part of CD Projekt now?
No — ownership of the storefront and GOG Galaxy has transferred to Michał Kiciński.
GOG is splitting from CD Projekt, the game company that launched the preservation-focused PC gaming marketplace in 2008. In an update on Monday, GOG announced that its co-founder, Michał Kiciński,…
Sources
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