The gaming community was recently stirred by Blizzard’s decision to delist Warcraft and Warcraft 2 from GOG.com, shortly after releasing their own pricier versions. This move, following a string of controversies surrounding Blizzard, including its ties with Activision, has been met with significant backlash. GOG, however, is standing its ground, refusing to comply with the delisting and ensuring continued access for existing owners.
This act of defiance is underscored by GOG’s proactive approach. Before the December 13th delisting deadline, GOG launched its own sale for both Warcraft titles. Using the code MakeWarcraftLiveForever, customers could purchase both games for a discounted price, further solidifying GOG’s commitment to its player base. While Blizzard continues to offer the games on its platform, with no indication of delisting them there, the GOG versions offer distinct advantages. These include improved multiplayer functionality and enhanced visuals optimized for modern displays.
GOG has long been a staunch advocate for game preservation, demonstrated through its GOG Preservation Program. This initiative aims to ensure the compatibility of older games with future hardware, effectively preserving gaming history. Both Warcraft titles were recently added to this program, and GOG has affirmed that players will retain access to purchased games, regardless of their availability for purchase in the future.
This commitment to game preservation, especially for titles no longer generating revenue, is a testament to GOG’s dedication. This reinforces their positive standing within the gaming community and strengthens their reputation as a platform that prioritizes player access and ownership. The allure of owning DRM-free, permanently accessible games undoubtedly contributes to GOG’s growing popularity.
