Image credit: GOG
Maciej Gołębiewski, who leads operations at the digital distribution service GOG, emphasized the potential decline in new game production if developers are required to maintain their games online indefinitely. He mentioned that this obligation could complicate the financial landscape for gaming companies, adding financial burdens on top of initial production and promotion expenses.
During a discussion with Eurogamer, Gołębiewski addressed the ongoing dialogue about the preservation of digital games, especially as service-oriented games like Ubisoft’s The Crew face being taken offline. Activism groups, such as Stop Killing Games, are pushing for government measures to prevent developers from removing games from availability. More on this can be read here.
He posed the question of what should be considered an appropriate post-release lifespan for games. Considering whether a game should simply cease to exist, thus disconnecting it from creators and consumers alike, he noted this discussion gained momentum significantly with advocacy efforts motivated by discontent.
Gołębiewski conveyed that despite the aspiration to keep games eternally accessible, imposing extensive obligations on developers may discourage game production. The potential requirement for long-term financial and technical support might deter developers, ultimately limiting the variety of games available to players.
He referred to game preservation as a “very complicated riddle,” involving intricate aspects like intellectual property rights, technical dependencies, and economic feasibility. “Goodwill isn’t enough to sustain employees,” he remarked.
In related news, Electronic Arts (EA) recently announced plans to discontinue its faltering multiplayer role-playing game, Anthem, in January 2026, as covered here.
GOG has recently changed ownership, transitioning away from CD Projekt to one of its founders, Michał Kiciński, for $25 million. More insight on Kiciński’s strategic approach for GOG can be accessed in this interview.