Generally speaking, when people think about CD Projekt Red, they often recall two exceptional role-playing games from the past ten years – The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077. This association is particularly strong among PC users, as a significant portion of sales for both games were made through digital storefronts like Steam. Interestingly, CD Projekt Red itself operates one such storefront named Good Old Games (GOG). This platform has gained fame due to its policy that allows gamers to keep the games they buy without any Digital Rights Management (DRM), which means that once a game is downloaded from GOG, there’s no requirement for an online verification process before playing it, similar to how things used to be in the past.
As a researcher delving into digital distribution, I find it intriguing how GOG operates differently from other platforms like Steam, particularly in their lack of requirement for an internet handshake, even for single-player games. This unique approach by GOG enables players to maintain their games in a traditional sense, given that physical media for PC games are increasingly scarce. It’s as if we’re preserving classic games, much like how many titles were left behind after the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 console generations.
To advance the cause of video game preservation, CD Projekt made headlines by revealing they would bring back Capcom’s Dino Crisis 1 and 2 to their platform, GOG. Not just that, these classics were given updated features like full 4k compatibility. The story behind this port is captivating as well; Adam Ziolkowski, the technical producer at GOG, shared details in a YouTube video on the GOGs Classic Vault Channel. Interestingly, the development process for this port required only a few months following Capcom’s approval.
Following the deployment of the GOG platform, CD Projekt unveiled a feature called “Wishlist”. This Wishlist empowers their community to select games they’d like to see added to the storefront in the future, with more popular choices likely to be prioritized. Since the introduction of the Wishlist, there have been over 3,000 pages filled with game suggestions spanning various genres and release dates dating back to the 80s. However, the games receiving the most votes, numbering in the tens of thousands, suggest which titles deserve a second life and careful preservation for future generations.
Fabled lost chapters of Lionhead
In 2016, after the termination of Fable Legends, the development studio Lionhead Studios was closed down simultaneously. This left the waning Fable franchise to rest in peace, until a revival of the Fable series (currently being developed) was announced in 2020 by Playground Games and scheduled for release this year. Notably, Lionhead is not only known for creating Fable but also developed Black & White games in 2001 and 2002.
Among the top three most popular games listed on Dreamlist, these two stand out, and justifiably so. You can only play them using their original physical versions on a PC, much like Dino Crisis. Interestingly, all Fable games have garnered a significant number of votes on the Dreamlist. The Fable series is unique because while the initial release and its re-release, titled ‘The Lost Chapters,’ are accessible on Steam, Fable 2 and 3 are not easily obtainable. For instance, Fable 3 can no longer be bought because it requires “Games for Windows” to play, which is now defunct. In contrast, Fable 2 was never adapted for PC, making both games depend on Xbox’s Cloud Gaming service for PC streaming. This might not suit those with inconsistent internet connections.
It’s clear why Black and White games are frequently requested on GOG, but the Fable series might be gaining popularity because of the upcoming release from Playground Games. To honor Microsoft and Xbox’s commitment to their platforms, it would make sense for them to follow Capcom’s example and allow GOG to create high-quality ports of all five Fable games, thereby preserving Lionhead Studios’ legacy on PC gaming.
The legion of Command and Conquer series
As an analyst, I find myself drawn to one of the most frequently chosen games in the Dreamlist: Command and Conquer: The Ultimate Collection. This collection encompasses 10 games and 7 expansion packs, all conveniently accessible via Steam at a budget-friendly price. However, it seems that the history of recent releases within the Command and Conquer series might offer a clue as to why this title is making waves on GOG’s Dreamlist.
As a researcher, I found myself excited in August of 2023 upon hearing Electronic Arts (EA) announce a fresh installment in their iconic real-time strategy series. Dubbed “Legions,” this new addition sparked widespread curiosity across the digital landscape. However, the enthusiasm quickly waned when it was unveiled as an exclusive mobile game. For dedicated fans who have primarily engaged with the series on PC and consoles, this revelation was a disappointing turn of events. The last significant installment in the Command and Conquer series preceded Legions by 13 years, with only a free-to-play browser game emerging in 2012, followed by another mobile title in 2018.
At first glance, this request might appear unnecessary, but there’s a valid explanation: it needs to be DRM-free. The appeal lies in the assurance that you can always play the game and do so offline. This sense of security and the chance to experience these timeless classics just like we did back then is highly desired by players.
Doubling Down on Capcom for Resident Evil
As a researcher delving into Dreamlist, I can attest that our journey began with Dino Crisis 1 and 2. The enhancements made by GOG to these games are nothing short of enchanting, which naturally leads me to believe that Resident Evil CODE: Veronica X is another gem in their collection. Although console gamers can easily acquire and enjoy this game on the latest versions of Xbox and PlayStation, PC enthusiasts have yet to experience it in a similar manner.
Since Capcom hasn’t properly brought Code Veronica to PC after two decades, this presents an easy opportunity for GOG to succeed again. Just like Dino Crisis 1 and 2, they were missing from PC for almost the same period. Given their existing partnership with Capcom, it’s likely that with a bit of time, another classic game will be enhanced and made available for PC gamers.
Summoning Diablo 2 away from Battle.net
Observing the bustling landscape of Dreamlist, I can’t help but notice the anticipation surrounding several games that are eagerly waiting for their PC port. Among these, titles from the soulslike genre truly stand out, such as Sony’s Bloodborne and Demon Souls. Interestingly, the original Diablo 2 has garnered a significant amount of attention among the most popular choices.
There are two compelling reasons behind this preference. The first one is rather evident to anyone who recalls the debut of Diablo 2: Resurrected in 2021. Upon release, the game was marred by a myriad of technical issues, including performance problems, failure to launch on PC, and server difficulties (a formidable trio that plagues many modern game launches). These challenges persisted for weeks, casting a shadow over the excitement surrounding the return of a legendary game. However, with time, these issues were addressed and patched out.
Another reason Diablo 2 is frequently demanded is because both its original version and the Resurrected edition are exclusively linked to Battle.net, which is Blizzard’s personal computer platform for games. While Battle.net is well-liked in the PC gaming community, it’s worth noting that the newly released Diablo 4 can be found on Steam, whereas neither version of Diablo 2 is available there. Additionally, if you consider that Diablo + Hellfire is accessible on GOG, one might wonder why GOG couldn’t collaborate with Blizzard to provide the second game without any Digital Rights Management (DRM) restrictions?
So many titles, so little help
As a researcher, I’m intrigued by the extensive catalog of games offered by GOG, which seems almost overwhelming at times. The loyalty and trust that CD Projekt has built over the years is well-deserved, as evidenced by their fans’ eagerness for more classic titles. This situation has me pondering about the rhythm or frequency of these ports they might release in the future.
In terms of games like Black and White, Fable, Command and Conquer, Resident Evil Code: Veronica, and Diablo 2, each one comes with its own level of intricacy that GOG might not have experienced with Dino Crisis. This complexity could prove challenging for some players to manage. Given the high number of votes for each game, it’s now up to companies like Microsoft, EA, and Capcom to decide if they should pursue preserving these legendary titles, as there seems to be a significant financial potential involved.
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2025-02-06 16:40