GOG’s new owner brands Windows as poor quality while he ponders Linux support — “I’m not surprised that people gravitate outside of the Windows ecosystem.”

by

It seems like many people are frustrated with Windows, and now Michał Kiciński, the new owner of GOG, is among them. He recently took the reins of the storefront after it became independent from CD Projekt Red.

Marcin Iwiński was a key founder of CD Projekt Red and currently fully owns GOG. He’s become dissatisfied with Windows, a sentiment many PC gamers share. While I still use Windows myself for practical reasons, I find it hard to argue with his points.

I recently read an interview with Marcin Iwiński and Maciej Gołębiewski, the managing director of GOG, in PC Gamer. They talked about their thoughts on Windows, Linux, and what’s coming up for the GOG store. Here’s a summary of what they shared.

What Kiciński actually said about Windows

In a recent interview with PC Gamer, CD Projekt Red’s Kiciński expressed strong criticism of Windows, calling it “poor-quality software” and expressing astonishment that it has remained popular for so long. He stated he was genuinely surprised by its continued presence in the market, saying he “can’t believe it!”

I used to think differently, but recently, with artificial intelligence appearing everywhere – even possibly integrated into everyday tools like File Explorer – I’m starting to understand his point of view.

It’s understandable why people choose alternatives to Windows. It simply isn’t the most user-friendly or effective system available.

Michał Kiciński — GOG.com CEO

But that wasn’t the end of it. Kiciński also revealed he’s stopped using Windows and now uses macOS. This indicates his issues with Windows were significant enough to make him change operating systems – a trend we’re also noticing with more people switching to Linux.

It’s a bit ironic, but the CEO of CD Projekt now mostly encounters Windows when he’s helping his parents with their computers. He recently said it’s… well, a pretty frustrating experience. I can definitely relate – I’m often the designated tech support for my own family, and dealing with PC issues for them can be a real headache.

Windows fatigue is creating an opening for Linux

This reaction highlights a broader frustration within the PC gaming community. As PC Gamer points out, CD Projekt Red’s CEO’s comments connect to increasing annoyance with Windows’ forced AI features, frequent attempts to sell extra products, and unwanted services. This is all contributing to a growing negative sentiment towards Microsoft, with some players now jokingly calling the company “Microslop.”

This background also clarifies why GOG is now paying more attention to Linux. According to Gołębiewski, they are considering it, though they haven’t made any firm commitments yet.

By publicly criticizing Windows, Kiciński is admitting that a lot of gamers are seeking other options, and that makes platforms like Linux increasingly vital for any PC game store hoping to succeed.

What’s striking is how straightforward he was with his criticism. It’s unusual for the head of a large PC game store to publicly and directly criticize Windows, and that’s why his comments are getting so much attention.

Read More

2026-01-14 15:40