DRM (Digital Rights Management) remains a hot topic in the world of digital gaming, and the GOG platform reaffirmed its stance against this technology at the beginning of 2026. The main fact is that the store, known for its catalog of DRM-free games, maintains its unwavering philosophy even under new leadership: the return of Michał Kiciński, co-founder of CD Projekt Red and original creator of GOG. The decision, announced this Tuesday (13th), is a clear positioning by the company, which believes that anti-piracy protection only complicates the lives of those who buy games legally. Therefore, GOG is willing to lose business with major publishers who insist on using DRM, focusing on a market niche that values permanent ownership and player freedom.
As a result of this policy, Kiciński reveals that some companies avoid the platform, as putting their games on GOG would mean giving up DRM. However, he does not see this as a total loss. “We lose some, we gain others,” the executive stated in an interview. Furthermore, he argues that many developers choose to work with GOG precisely because of this philosophy. Thus, the company’s strategy for this year is not to compete head-on with Steam for the volume of AAA releases, but rather to refine its unique offering for a specific audience that rejects digital restrictions.
A Philosophy Put into Practice
GOG’s conviction comes from practical experience. Kiciński cited the case of The Witcher 2, published by Bandai Namco, as an example. At the time, even after the game had been pirated, the publisher insisted on using DRM, which caused discontent at CD Projekt Red. The Polish developer even faced legal action for removing the protection later. This experience strengthened the belief that DRM is not an effective solution against piracy, serving more as a requirement from rights holders. In other words, GOG prefers to trust the consumer and offer a superior experience, with support for mods and downloads without mandatory connections, instead of imposing barriers.
Therefore, players looking for titles like Skyrim, Fallout: New Vegas, or No Man’s Sky without any kind of digital tether will continue to find a safe harbor on GOG. Still, it is important to note that the platform’s catalog does not compete in quantity with that of the giant Steam, lacking many releases from major publishers. The final message, however, is clear: in January 2026, GOG doubles down on what made it special, betting that a loyal and engaged audience is worth more than compromising its fundamental principles. The future will tell if this bet will continue to pay off.
