GOG have announced that they're getting into game funding, with the first partnership being a boost for developers from Robust Games and publisher Chucklefish for their upcoming title Loco Motive.
An interesting move, and not exactly unusual really when you think about it. GOG run a games store, if they think funding specific games that will release on GOG will increase sales — why not do it? Loco Motive is a game I actually wrote about back in early 2021 due to the impressively styled free Game Jam version, which has a Native Linux version, although it looks like the full release will not so you'll need Proton. The developers say they've tested the game on the Steam Deck and "it works well!".
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From the press release:
"We believe in game preservation – in every form. Where there is passion and love for gaming, we want to go there! Be it bringing back classic titles, making them playable, reviving unlisted gems… Or supporting the creation of new indie games, such as Robust Games’ Loco Motive" - Bartosz Kwietniewski, Head of Business Development at GOG
"As a small independent studio, we were thrilled to forge this partnership with GOG. We deeply value and appreciate the trust GOG place in us as their first investment into indies, and I'm confident that with their collaboration and support we will reach new heights of success." - Adam Riches, Co-Founder of Robust Games
I did shoot off an email to GOG PR about this, asking more questions about how this partnership actually works for GOG but they have not replied as of time of publishing. See GOG's announcement for more.
Loco Motive is available for wishlists on:
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Not quite sure I see the benefit for GOG, however. If they just sell the game, they make some profit (perhaps), but if they invest into the game before selling it, I can't really see them making more profit (unless without investment there would be no game). And that in addition to the news we had some time ago that GOG wasn't that profitable to begin with.
The only thing I could imagine is that they want to get more indie devs to release their games on GOG as well. I've seen a lot of really good games that can be found on Steam only, and I don't think it's just because GOG is so picky.
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