GOG, the long-standing DRM-free alternative to Steam, is officially no longer owned by CD Projekt. In a quiet but significant shift, CD Projekt co-founder Michał Kiciński has acquired 100% of GOG’s shares, separating the storefront from the company behind The Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077 for the first time since its founding.
GOG breaks away but stays in the family
GOG (formerly Good Old Games) launched in 2008 under CD Projekt. Its core mission was simple: sell games without DRM and preserve access to classics. The approach earned support from retro gamers and preservation advocates. Still, GOG never reached the scale of Steam or Epic Games Store.
That said, this isn’t a hostile buyout or outside interference. Kiciński helped launch both CD Projekt and GOG. He’s now taking full control of the platform for about 90.7 million PLN, or $25.25 million. It’s no longer a corporate branch. GOG is now an independent company, led by one of its original creators.
GOG has made it clear that nothing fundamental is changing. The platform will continue to offer DRM-free downloads and function independently. Games from CD Projekt, like The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077, will remain available on it without protection layers, just as before.
Space Quest IV is getting a proper Amiga remake in 2025 with an OCS Enhanced version featuring AI-upgraded visuals and accurate hardware support.
GOG remains niche, but now free to reposition
Although certain corners of the gaming world love GOG, it holds only a small share of the market. In 2024, GOG brought in about $55.5 million in revenue a fraction of what Steam generates. Its profit margin was razor-thin, sitting at just over $316,000 for the year.
One key reason for that is publisher resistance. Many studios avoid DRM-free platforms altogether to minimize piracy risk. That has left GOG with a thinner catalog and more indie-heavy selection, even as it tries to secure bigger titles.
Now, separated from CD Projekt’s direct oversight, it might appeal more to developers wary of favoring internal first-party projects. That independence could be its greatest asset going forward.
A rare case of corporate unchaining
In an industry that’s been trending toward consolidation, GOG’s split from CD Projekt is the opposite a step toward autonomy. With Kiciński at the helm, the storefront isn’t pivoting to a new strategy, but it is breaking out from its parent’s shadow.
For GOG fans, the future seems stable. For itself, the real question is whether independence can breathe new life into its quiet corner of the market or if the DRM-free niche is too small to grow much further.
