this post was submitted on 07 Dec 2024
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GOG Plans To Preserve "At Least 500 Games" Through Its New Program By The End Of 2025 | Time Extension (www.timeextension.com)
submitted 2 weeks ago by [email protected] to c/retrogaming
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GOG, the popular PC game retailer, has announced its intention to preserve at least 500 classic PC games by the end of 2025 as part of a new preservation programme. According to Marcin Paczyński, GOG's senior business development manager, this initiative focuses on actively preserving these titles even when their publishers or developers are no longer supporting them.

Key Points:

  • Goals: Preserve at least 500 classic PC games by the end of 2025.
  • Unique Aspects: Unlike previous efforts, GOG is committed to long-term preservation and actively addressing issues faced by these titles.
  • Selection Process: Games will be selected based on historical importance, fan demand, and compatibility with modern operating systems like Windows 10 or 11.
  • Iconic Titles Included: Some very iconic and long-requested games are expected to be part of the programme.

What classic PC games would you like to see preserved through GOG's new programme?

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[–] [email protected] 21 points 2 weeks ago (4 children)

This whole thing is very confusing to me, because it feels like it's just, y'know, the thing that GOG already did. Like, we all remember that GOG used to be short for "Good Old Games" because the point was that it was a digital store that preserved old games and made them playable on modern systems... Right?

Listen, I love GOG, they're great, but isn't this just them jumping on a bandwagon by promising to do the thing they're already doing?

[–] Kelly 11 points 2 weeks ago

GOG launched in 2008 (when windows vista was current), some of the titles added to the catalog over the years will have problems with modern operating systems, hardware, drivers, etc.

Anything they add to the preservation program has confirmed comparability with Windows 10/11 and popular hardware currently in use. There is an element of housekeeping here that goes beyond simple PR.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

I don't think it qualifies as jumping on the bandwagon since, as you point, they've been doing it for the longest time anyway. This is just them reiterating their pledge and getting some good publicity out of it, which I think is perfectly fine.

[–] Bonesince1997 10 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Yeah, it seems like advertising. But whatever. This is their angle. This and maintaining your own installers of your games, if you wish.

[–] [email protected] -1 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Yeah, I mean I'm not hating on GOG, they're great. Keep your own installers, no DRM, all good stuff. I just find this "Game preservation" campaign really silly.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 week ago

There are tons of people who have still never heard of GOG. This really is a necessary advertisement campaign.

[–] MeaanBeaan 9 points 2 weeks ago

I mean. Most of the article is devoted to addressing this exact question. Before, it was just about making games playable on modern computers. This is about preserving games for the long term and making sure things are compatible with machines far into the future. The distinction may be a minor one but there is a difference in what this is vs. what they've been doing in the past. In fact this initiative is being worked towards because of their past experience in preserving games not separate from it.

[–] spacemanspiffy 11 points 2 weeks ago

Way to make me want to spend my money at GOG, GOG.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Another ChatGPT post?

[–] 2pt_perversion 3 points 2 weeks ago

Survey says yes, but GOG is still good.

[–] Bonesince1997 5 points 2 weeks ago

Go GOG go!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Damn dats it? I got like twice that preserved

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 weeks ago

Maybe you should join forces.

[–] [email protected] -1 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Only 500? I have something like tens of thousands of games on my MAME cabinet.

Come back to me when you're preserving games like the console and arcade collectors do it. They have entire 100% complete collections for certain libraries, and they are always on the lookout for rare ROMs that have never transferred out of their hardware.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Roms for an arcade cabinet aren't in any way equivalent to executables that have to sometimes be installed on a PC.

Trolling or stupid. Both?