It appears things aren't going overly well for game store GOG at the moment, under increasing competition they're starting to feel the heat.
First of all, in a report on Kotaku, GOG recently confirmed that they let go a bunch of staff. They claimed it was only "around a dozen of positions" while also bringing in new staff in other positions. Fair enough, that all sounds quite normal in the business world.
However, Kotaku spoke to an ex-staff member who basically said GOG haven't been doing so well financially. That seems to now be somewhat backed up a little, as GOG just announced today that they're ending their Fair Price Package program. This was the system that users could get wallet funds back on purchases, if the price of the game was more expensive in their country compared with North America.
What's also interesting in this announcement from GOG, is that they said they were able to cover the extra cost from it in the past and still turn a "small profit" which is no longer the case. As they say "With an increasing share paid to developers, our cut gets smaller.", so it sounds like they will at some point reduce their cut from developers (sound familiar?).
Their current plan for the Fair Price Package program is to continue it until 31st of March, so you have until then if you made use of it. Any funds you're given, will remain with you for 12 months so they won't vanish right away.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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Quoting: x_wingYou can offer both, just as any package management tool does on any Linux distro.
I think Pangaea's point was, that given GOG's limited resources, they might lag with Linux installers if they are to add Galaxy support. They are already lagging with Windows installers often, if you paid attention, "thanks" to Galaxy. So for many existing GOG users, if the choice is installers or Galaxy, we are going to choose installers.
Last edited by Shmerl on 28 February 2019 at 2:55 am UTC
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Quoting: ShmerlQuoting: x_wingYou can offer both, just as any package management tool does on any Linux distro.
I think Pangaea's point was, that given GOG's limited resources, they might lag with Linux installers if they are to add Galaxy support. They are already lagging with Windows installers often, if you paid attention, "thanks" to Galaxy. So for many existing GOG users, if the choice is installers or Galaxy, we are going to choose installers.
No, Pangaea's point was that if there is no Galaxy for Linux, the offline installers cannot be tainted with crap like galaxy.dll with it's telemetry as the (officially non-Galaxy) Windows offline installers are.
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This is just sad. I have hope and expectation that, if not now, in future when GOG/CDPR business is much better that they will come through for Linux platform. It may be silly to say but I'd prefer CDPR/GOG to adopt Vulkan so that their games can run even better rather bring Galaxy first. Besides updates I really can't say I found Galaxy anything particular interesting to use. Not that it's bad, i feel the same about Steam, but I just want a client that updates and my games. Then it comes down to multiplayer versus better performance, I prefer latter.
Their situation is probably caused by Epic Games. Because of that I hope CDPR excludes Cyberpunk 2077 for a year on Epic Store, and maybe also receive a sum of cash from Epic when it's released. I'm against exclusivity but seeing as GOG is directly in competition with them, and Epic have deployed such dirty tactics to get third party games they should get a taste of their own medicine.
I believe GOG's success hangs more on Epic's failure than Steam's. Not that Steam has been a detriment to GOG. Take Proton as a clear example, we can run our GOG bought games through Steam.
While clueless people make fake news about Cyberpunk 2077 potentially being exclusive to Epic store, not knowing GOG is tied to CDPR and CDPR rep, I wonder more if CDPR/GOG will exclude Epic Store. That would be a good business decision. Similar to Ubisoft excluding Division2 on Steam. They, Ubi, may know that many people won't get Epic Store and will then be forced to go directly through their own. Win-win.
Last edited by Linuxwarper on 28 February 2019 at 11:20 am UTC
Their situation is probably caused by Epic Games. Because of that I hope CDPR excludes Cyberpunk 2077 for a year on Epic Store, and maybe also receive a sum of cash from Epic when it's released. I'm against exclusivity but seeing as GOG is directly in competition with them, and Epic have deployed such dirty tactics to get third party games they should get a taste of their own medicine.
I believe GOG's success hangs more on Epic's failure than Steam's. Not that Steam has been a detriment to GOG. Take Proton as a clear example, we can run our GOG bought games through Steam.
While clueless people make fake news about Cyberpunk 2077 potentially being exclusive to Epic store, not knowing GOG is tied to CDPR and CDPR rep, I wonder more if CDPR/GOG will exclude Epic Store. That would be a good business decision. Similar to Ubisoft excluding Division2 on Steam. They, Ubi, may know that many people won't get Epic Store and will then be forced to go directly through their own. Win-win.
Last edited by Linuxwarper on 28 February 2019 at 11:20 am UTC
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TheRiddick Feb 28, 2019
is Cyberpunk 2077 Directx11? I hope GOG don't adopt DX12.. But then again its the only way to get DXR/RTX going atm since we don't have it for Linux yet from what I understand.
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Developers need to stop using DX all together and use Vulken.
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Quoting: TuxgamerDevelopers need to stop using DX all together and use Vulken.
https://www.gog.com/wishlist/games/cyberpunk_2077_no_gameworks_vulkandx12
I think we need to make it clear to CDPR how important Vulkan is for us. If they can't support Linux directly, they can at very least do so through Vulkan. Short term I don't think they can support us with native games without issues, even if they used Vulkan for the game. But if they use Vulkan for better SteamPlay compatibility that will be really great. It will plant a big seed for Linux becoming more viable. With such a big game working through Linux with performance being very close to Windows, it will be compelling for gamers to switch to Linux.
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Quoting: ShmerlQuoting: x_wingYou can offer both, just as any package management tool does on any Linux distro.
I think Pangaea's point was, that given GOG's limited resources, they might lag with Linux installers if they are to add Galaxy support. They are already lagging with Windows installers often, if you paid attention, "thanks" to Galaxy. So for many existing GOG users, if the choice is installers or Galaxy, we are going to choose installers.
And what I'm pointing out is that you can have a manager using as base the installer, just like we do with package managers. Of course, being an update tool (i.e. you don't want to download a full package every time), you may have to put some brain in the base installer so it could be flexible enough in order to create full updates or partial updates, which is the feature that GoG installers doesn't have (AFAIK). BTW what I'm saying is not something new, this is just like games used to get updates in the past, with the difference that now you have a frontend (galaxy) that manages to install each one of them in sequence.
In the other hand, if you tell me that galaxy design affects the old way things used to work (i.e. the distribution model that made GoG unique), then the problem may be that in order to create galaxy they made a copy pasta of the system that have Steam which is difficult to adapt to their business model. Anyway, this probable design flaw doesn't surprise me looking at how "difficult" has been for them to create a multiplatform frontend to manage your library and access the GoG social network features...
Last edited by x_wing on 28 February 2019 at 2:45 pm UTC
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Quoting: KlaasNo, Pangaea's point was that if there is no Galaxy for Linux, the offline installers cannot be tainted with crap like galaxy.dll with it's telemetry as the (officially non-Galaxy) Windows offline installers are.Indeed. Plus, if GOG had Galaxy for all platform they support, why have separate installers at all? It has to be a headache for them internally. So they would have more reason to drop the promise of Galaxy being optional, and simply offer nothing but Galaxy-based installers.
I like to have control over what happens on my computer, and don't like all this telemetry and phone home BS, so I refuse to use Steam, and I refuse to use Galaxy. Given other GOG moves over the years, I'd be worried if they were to release Galaxy for Linux. It will probably happen one day, I just hope it's in the very distant future. And I'm using lgogdownloader to back up my games these days, in case something dodgy happens. Takes a bit of space, sure, but as long as the harddrives don't crash, that's not really a problem.
I don't think GOG are in very dire straits though. They are backed by CDPR, which will probably make another killing when the 2077 game is released. Unfortunately I don't expect Linux support there either, but I do think the game will do very well, if the quality in Witcher 3 is anything to go by. Apart from kickstarters and direct purchase from developers (like with Rimworld), GOG is the only place I buy games these days (if quite sporadic), so it would be a big disappointment if they go under. The bar has been lowered since 5 or so years ago, but they're still the best in the business for gamers who value their privacy and independence.
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Quoting: LinuxwarperI don't think we need to make anything clear to CDPR; they won't listen anyway. I'd still rather have GOG than Epic. But let's face it: GOG and CDPR have no particular fondness for Linux. They will do more things for Linux when they feel there are enough people gaming on Linux that they will be leaving significant money on the table by failing to do so. Until then, it doesn't matter what we make clear to them.Quoting: TuxgamerDevelopers need to stop using DX all together and use Vulken.
https://www.gog.com/wishlist/games/cyberpunk_2077_no_gameworks_vulkandx12
I think we need to make it clear to CDPR how important Vulkan is for us.
And, we aren't there yet.
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Quoting: PangaeaGOG is the only place I buy games these days (if quite sporadic), so it would be a big disappointment if they go under. The bar has been lowered since 5 or so years ago, but they're still the best in the business for gamers who value their privacy and independence.What about Itch?
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Quoting: Purple Library GuyWhat about Itch?
Exactly. I'm not comfortable with GOG's course (hiding important information on the game cards, the forced profiles that you could opt-out later and new game list that does not include the names as text which forces you to hover over each game and have another small autoplaying move) and I've stopped looking at the front page when they switched to the new design with the large autoplaying movies and the fullscreen ads that make the news section almost unusable. If a sale or new release isn't announced here I miss it. So, well done, GOG.
Itch gives the developers more control, which has the upside that updates are usually faster and the downside that some developers removed the DRM-free download after they got their game on Steam. The problem is that many of the games that I'm interested in are not on Itch.
All in all I've been spending money on something else: I've bought a second macro lens with a shorter focal length for my DSLR that is great for taking pictures of flowers, upgraded to a newer model that has focus peaking and spent more time taking pictures.
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Quoting: razing32Quoting: Whitewolfe80Quoting: razing32Kind of sad GOG is taking a hit.
The gaming market is hitting the same issue as online streaming.
Movie streaming replaced TV but then so many streaming services showed up that it became just like TV.
These online games stores are going in the same direction.
We had Steam and GOG. And all games were easy to get on one of two platforms.
Now the stores are multiplying and exclusives are forcing people to choose or end up with a miriad of accounts.
Could be worse if you lived in the UK you have to pay the government to own a tv in your home every year and youtube counts as tv it didnt originally but it does now because it can be watched live. But yeah it is true the exclusive shows is the only way to get you stay and in some cases you end up paying nearly as much as cable/sky to make sure you dont miss anything.
LOL
we have a public broadcaster tax.
It's assumed if you have electricity you can watch public tv or listen to public radio. so 55 euros tax a year.
Ours is 150 pounds a year and failure to pay involves a prison scentence its ridicilous hardly anybody watches the BBC channels which is what its supposed to fund.
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Quoting: Whitewolfe80Well, this Canadian is grateful for your sacrifice. Love me some British murder mysteries, costume dramas etc.Quoting: razing32Quoting: Whitewolfe80Quoting: razing32Kind of sad GOG is taking a hit.
The gaming market is hitting the same issue as online streaming.
Movie streaming replaced TV but then so many streaming services showed up that it became just like TV.
These online games stores are going in the same direction.
We had Steam and GOG. And all games were easy to get on one of two platforms.
Now the stores are multiplying and exclusives are forcing people to choose or end up with a miriad of accounts.
Could be worse if you lived in the UK you have to pay the government to own a tv in your home every year and youtube counts as tv it didnt originally but it does now because it can be watched live. But yeah it is true the exclusive shows is the only way to get you stay and in some cases you end up paying nearly as much as cable/sky to make sure you dont miss anything.
LOL
we have a public broadcaster tax.
It's assumed if you have electricity you can watch public tv or listen to public radio. so 55 euros tax a year.
Ours is 150 pounds a year and failure to pay involves a prison scentence its ridicilous hardly anybody watches the BBC channels which is what its supposed to fund.
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As highlighted above, GOG has done some pretty dodgy things lately, and the frontpage is unusable now. "Accidentally" hover over a game, and some video starts playing. WTF? Hate stuff like that. Then they tried to remove the classic installers. They're still pretty well hidden and there is no way to set the classics as the default download -- unless you use the maGOG extension (community made), or at least I think so. But the thing is, they're still the best we've got. It's possible to get a wide range of games there, also some reasonably new ones, so coupled with being DRM Free and quasi-Linux support, it's why I still shop there.
I hated when they removed Baldur's Gate and the like and replaced them with the inferior money-grab editions and doubled the price, but thankfully I had bought the 'real' versions years prior. Probably not entirely GOG's fault, but it leaves a bad taste in the mouth, and the almost limitless trust I had in them before is certainly gone. But compared to other shops, it's still the best bet in my view. Therefore it would be a huge disappointment if they did go under (which I don't think they will).
Like in the Witcher games/novels, it's a case of choosing the lesser evil.
Then hope the community will be able to hold them in the ears next time GOG try to lower the bar.
Don't think they do it to the same degree any more, but I also like that you typically get a pile of "goodies" with games you purchase on GOG.
Last edited by Pangaea on 28 February 2019 at 9:18 pm UTC
I hated when they removed Baldur's Gate and the like and replaced them with the inferior money-grab editions and doubled the price, but thankfully I had bought the 'real' versions years prior. Probably not entirely GOG's fault, but it leaves a bad taste in the mouth, and the almost limitless trust I had in them before is certainly gone. But compared to other shops, it's still the best bet in my view. Therefore it would be a huge disappointment if they did go under (which I don't think they will).
Like in the Witcher games/novels, it's a case of choosing the lesser evil.
Then hope the community will be able to hold them in the ears next time GOG try to lower the bar.
Don't think they do it to the same degree any more, but I also like that you typically get a pile of "goodies" with games you purchase on GOG.
Last edited by Pangaea on 28 February 2019 at 9:18 pm UTC
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I haven't read the whole thread, but have to assume this has been pointed out already, and it bears repeating.
To therefore frame this as GOG being in serious trouble is pretty dishonest. That could still be the case in fairness, but not based on them having laid off some staff when they have hired twice as many with another pack of open positions. Looks more like a company in growth than decline.
Quote“We have been rearranging certain teams since October 2018, effecting in closing around a dozen of positions last week. At the same time, since the process started we have welcomed nearly twice as many new team members, and currently hold 20 open positions.”
To therefore frame this as GOG being in serious trouble is pretty dishonest. That could still be the case in fairness, but not based on them having laid off some staff when they have hired twice as many with another pack of open positions. Looks more like a company in growth than decline.
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Quoting: PangaeaI haven't read the whole thread, but have to assume this has been pointed out already, and it bears repeating.
Quote“We have been rearranging certain teams since October 2018, effecting in closing around a dozen of positions last week. At the same time, since the process started we have welcomed nearly twice as many new team members, and currently hold 20 open positions.”
To therefore frame this as GOG being in serious trouble is pretty dishonest. That could still be the case in fairness, but not based on them having laid off some staff when they have hired twice as many with another pack of open positions. Looks more like a company in growth than decline.
From my experience, any IT company will always have "open positions" no matter the financial state of it.
In the other hand, Liam explained in the post exactly what you quoted but the suspicious of financial problems comes from the 'Fair price package' removal. Either case, this things would be minimal if they would be taking the right choices but, from a Linux user perspective, they aren't doing so.
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Quoting: PangaeaI hated when they removed Baldur's Gate and the like and replaced them with the inferior money-grab editions and doubled the price, but thankfully I had bought the 'real' versions years prior.A bit of a funny thing to post on a Linux gaming website, considering that your "inferior money-grab editions" include among many other things full Linux support.
Beamdog have been consistently great in this regard.
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LOL
we have a public broadcaster tax.
It's assumed if you have electricity you can watch public tv or listen to public radio. so 55 euros tax a year.[/quote]
Ours is 150 pounds a year and failure to pay involves a prison scentence its ridicilous hardly anybody watches the BBC channels which is what its supposed to fund.[/quote]Well, this Canadian is grateful for your sacrifice. Love me some British murder mysteries, costume dramas etc.[/quote]
Glad someone likes something made by the BBC since clarkson got fired and the bodyguard finished they dont for me
we have a public broadcaster tax.
It's assumed if you have electricity you can watch public tv or listen to public radio. so 55 euros tax a year.[/quote]
Ours is 150 pounds a year and failure to pay involves a prison scentence its ridicilous hardly anybody watches the BBC channels which is what its supposed to fund.[/quote]Well, this Canadian is grateful for your sacrifice. Love me some British murder mysteries, costume dramas etc.[/quote]
Glad someone likes something made by the BBC since clarkson got fired and the bodyguard finished they dont for me
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Quoting: HamishQuoting: PangaeaI hated when they removed Baldur's Gate and the like and replaced them with the inferior money-grab editions and doubled the price, but thankfully I had bought the 'real' versions years prior.A bit of a funny thing to post on a Linux gaming website, considering that your "inferior money-grab editions" include among many other things full Linux support.
Beamdog have been consistently great in this regard.
I know, right? The GOG forums are full of hatred towards Beamdog, and I can't quite figure it out.
- All of their games support Windows, Mac, and Linux
- All of their games are DRM free. The Steam versions don't even require the client to run.
- They've done a good job of post-release support. Lot's of bug fixes and improvements.
- They've generally done a good job of maintaining version concurrency between GOG and Steam.
- They've learned from their past mistakes. IWD, Planescape and NWN were handled much better than the BG series.
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Quoting: HamishDoesn't change the other facts I wrote, though, nor that the classic editions have been removed from sale, both on GOG and elsewhere. Fine and dandy that Linux support has been added, but that in no way would entice me to buy their moneygrab editions. They spat on the products and I will never, ever buy anything from them. People can dislike that all they want, but that is my view. For me it's not just about having Linux or not, but also about behaving in a somewhat ethical fashion, and Shitedog most certainly have not done that. Coincidentally, it's also why I dislike some of GOG's more recent moves. I love the fact I can get DRM Free games there, and that they finally started supporting Linux games (dragged their feet on it, though). I'm simply not going to give money to people or companies who behave in horrible ways. So I don't buy anything from/on Steam, nor anything from Beamdog. The way they tried to defend their moves at the time was also laughably unprofessional.Quoting: PangaeaI hated when they removed Baldur's Gate and the like and replaced them with the inferior money-grab editions and doubled the price, but thankfully I had bought the 'real' versions years prior.A bit of a funny thing to post on a Linux gaming website, considering that your "inferior money-grab editions" include among many other things full Linux support.
Beamdog have been consistently great in this regard.
I'm just glad I bought all the original games years ago, so I still have them. People who didn't are up shit creek if they want the untainted versions.
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