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Just had the following email from GOG about account migration for CD Projekt Red games, not quite sure what to make of it. Don’t CDPR own GOG? Why do they need to be separated? What does this mean for the long term future of the services?...
Yes, if one company buys a part of another the data can be legally migrated. The data will also become subject to new the T&C’s and privacy policy, although there must be an opt out before this happens (which they are providing here). This is more of a split I think, as far as I’m aware GOG are still owned by CDPR, it seems like they’re setting up a new division for CDPR games, and maybe GOG is just going to focus on old titles.
For myself, I don’t like this. I use unique emails for everything, and this spoils that setup. I don’t want my GOG email to be anywhere near CDPR, and vice versa. However it seems like my only options are migrate the email to the wrong service, or lose all my online data.
I’m not too bothered if they’re two separate services, beyond whatever that might mean for the continuation of the services. Eg, is GOG going to be worse than it is currently, or is CDPR looking to separate so they can be worse and more like a typical publisher.
Probably, I think I’m going to contacte them and get them to do that, while explicitly stating I object to my email being subject to the new terms and conditions.
Maybe that might be an option, like if I create a CDPR account now and tell them to transfer to that account rather than migrate and then change emails. I’ll give it a go.
No, GOG was the official store for CDPR (as GOG was created and is owned by CDPR), but now CDPR are splitting off, or something. So, for example, your achievements in games like Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077 have been recorded in GOG, but will now be migrated to a separate CDPR service.
So it’s not a merger, but a split, however to my knowledge the ownership structure of CDPR owning GOG will remain the same. It’s just that they want to separate GOG from their own publisher business. What this means for GOG as a storefront seems uncertain - will GOG continue to sell all games, or will it go back to its original purpose of only old games? Will GOG continue to be DRM free? Will future CDPR games include DRM such as Denuvo? Will GOG eventually die off?
GOG and CDPR have always been different branches anyway.
They have and they haven’t. CDPR used GOG’s infrastructure, and CDPR own GOG, so this makes sense. You don’t buy Valve games from the Valve store, you buy them from Steam.
Technically, I think GOG was originally started and owned by CDPR, then became GOG Ltd, and now it’s GOG sp. z o.o. However, I think it’s reasonable to be frustrated that the corporate restructuring (which is almost surely for their financial benefit) is affecting customers. I bought my games from GOG, because I like GOG, and I liked CDPR for making GOG and holding the same ideals.
What this seems to me is that CDPR no longer wish to sell their games on GOG, perhaps because GOG is staunchly DRM free. Does this mean CDPR are going to include DRM in future games? Or are they merely trying to expand the selection of titles they can sell on their storefront(s) to include those which refuse to be DRM free? Does this mean GOG is going to fall to the wayside, as they will no longer push for DRM free versions of major titles, instead referring them to the CDPR store?
I have DRM free versions of Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous and Baldur’s Gate 3. It would be sad if future games weren’t available in this way.
They are legally separate entities, but why should that affect customers? Why are CDPR games no longer being sold on the GOG store? This almost would be like if Valve stopped selling Half Life on Steam.
I don’t think it has anything to do with being “easier to manage”. I think the corporate structure is purely for financial reasons. Valve never spun up a second business for Steam.
I also suspect it has something to do with the fact that GOG is a staunchly DRM free platform. It sounds like either CDPR want to sell games with DRM (which means future titles similar to Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous and Baldur’s Gate 3 would no longer have a DRM-free option, as CDPR would simply have them on their main store rather than GOG), or CDPR want to include DRM in their own games.
I’d like to think I’m not so much speculating, but rather concerned about what this might mean. There’s certainly no apparent reason why splitting CDPR games away from GOG would be good for consumers.
My guess is that they want to use a single account across more services unrelated to GOG
The specific reasoning they’ve given is pretty clear:
You are receiving this email due to your use of online features, including Cross Progression and My Rewards, in CD PROJEKT RED games, as well as your participation in platforms like the CD PROJEKT RED Forums.
None of these things have a clear advantage in being separated from GOG. GOG is owned by CDPR, GOG is a CDPR subsidiary. CDPR have full authority to dictate how their games are sold on the GOG platform. The only unique thing about GOG is the DRM-free position.
By separating CDPR games from GOG, they can separate CDPR games from the DRM-free position, without facing the inevitable backlash that doing so would normally face. Then, newer CDPR games won’t be bound by the GOG philosophy, while GOG can die off somewhat naturally and without such significant backlash. This could be seen as commercially preferable over the current situation for a publicly traded company such as CDPR.
I am making assumptions, but that is the very nature of future predictions. I ask if you could make any other assumption that really challenges mine.
Their games might end up on both, but when it comes to a new 3rd party game being put on CDPR store with DRM or GOG store without DRM, which do you think will happen? Long term, do you think GOG would survive if CDPR shift their focus to another store?
It’s not really the same as Rockstar Launcher and Steam, because Rockstar don’t own Steam.
But it isn’t a merger, it’s a partial transfer. Your GOG account will still exist, but your CDPR games will be moved from GOG to CDPR.
Exactly what this means is unclear, the email and their online FAQ merely says “online features including Cross Progression and My Rewards as well as CDPR Forums” - it does not list everything that’s being migrated. It could be that GOG will only sell old games, while new games will be on a separate store, or it could be just that achievements and cross-platform scores will be on CDPR while GOG continues as normal. It could also end up being a gradual change with GOG falling to the wayside, and new games (1st and 3rd party) only being sold on CDPR.
Also, GDPR is hardly a reason. GOG is a CDPR subsidiary, and both are based in Poland, which is in the EU. They’re in the same jurisdiction. There’s no real issue with GDPR, even if the two services were sharing data - GDPR allows this for the purpose of providing a service.
I’ve sent a support ticket to them asking for more information.
I’m not confusing anything here. For clarity, CPD is the parent company, CDPR is a department within the parent company that develops games. The two are basically synonymous.
What I’m doing is inferring that their statement “online services including…” is in no way an exhaustive list, and directly implies that other things are migrating also. Furthermore, when I logged into GOG Galaxy I could no longer shop for new games (not just CDPR games, but recent games from other publishers - only old titles were available), which further leant into the idea that games were being removed from the GOG store. I’ve since checked gog.com and they’re still there, though.
In any case, even if it doesn’t happen right away this move absolutely is a step towards CDPR games not being listed on the GOG store and potentially even coming with DRM.
I’ve created a support ticket with them asking for further details about the change.
I know this isn’t strictly piracy related, I apologise, but I think it is tangentally related in that piracy protects you from data theft by avoiding the services the biggest thieves operate. Also, I feel like people here might be very interested in this take....
Also I really miss how most people would like trim the settings right the way down for the best performance, and the funky little twist in your bunny hops to get to the front line.
By the time BLOPS came out Activision had stolen the zombie mod from modders and then denied mods for the games so they could sell maps (which were worse than the ones the modders made).
This was after they literally had security escort the founders of Infinity Ward out of their own studio for publicly complaining that they hadn’t been paid the agreed royalties for the original COD:MW2.
I’m one of those weirdos who actually preferred BF2142. There was some cool shit in that game, with some really innovative gameplay elements that encouraged the full range of classes, like one had senors for infantry and another had sensors for vehicles (although you had to buy all the expansions to get all the good shit). Also, hover tanks and AA mech robots.
Saying that though, BF2 had a bit of a bug in it where you could fly a helicopter straight towards any AA and it would consistently fall underneath you. I was lethal with that. Also, I really love the fact that DICE basically hired the developers of the BF1942 mod Desert Combat to make BF2
Goldeneye was classic, but Perfect Dark was always better IMO.
Man, I wish Rare never sold themselves to Microsoft. They tried to get Nintendo involved and start a bidding war, but Nintendo didn’t bite. Conker’s Bad Fur Day is still perhaps my favourite game of all time, all the timely movie references, and the juxtoposition of a cutesy squirrel character actually being a hungover reprobate. I played so much of that teddies v French squirrels on the beach landing multiplayer.
It isn’t the peoples’ company, but nor is it a publicly traded company that is obligated to pursue profits above all else. It’s Gabe’s company, and he gets to run it as he sees fit.
Ultimately Wolfire’s argument falls apart not because Valve is setting the terms, but because their claims about Valve’s position in the industry and supposed abuse of power don’t hold much water.
Having everyone in court wear masks absolutely does help protect him. However, what would protect everyone better is proper ventilation systems - but that would cost businesses money, rather than passing the cost and responsibility onto individuals.
Because you would expect the people in charge of the company to answer questions regarding the actions of the company.
If you were driving your truck and crashed into a traffic light, and it was caught on camera, you would be expected to answer questions about that. Even if you weren’t driving, as the registered owner you’re still going to be asked about it, or at the very least to identify who was driving.
Gabe isn’t just a tertiary witness, he has direct responsibility. Not that I think he’s done anything wrong here, I’m just saying it makes sense to have him answer questions live in court, rather than give a pre-recorded interview. Doing it live but remote invites other issues, such as poor connection quality, which would rather be avoided unless absolutely necessary.
Everyone leaving their mask on the entire time is the most effective way it works. The judge is seeking a compromise, presumably with the intent of being able to clearly hear him speak and see his facial expressions. I don’t think anyone else will be taking their masks off, not even the lawyer asking him questions, so in that regard Gabe will still be somewhat protected.
Like I say though there are far more effective measures involving good ventillation. If you spend a long enough time in a sealed room with someone infected, even the mask won’t be enough protection, but if there is good ventillation then you won’t be breathing in anywhere near as much of other peoples’ germs.
Accordingly, Mr. Newell is ORDERED to attend the deposition in person as noticed. (See Dkt. No. 165-2.) In hopes of alleviating Mr. Newell’s health concerns, the Court mandates the following additional health measures: all participants (including questioning counsel) must wear a tightly fitting certified N95, KF94, or KN95 face mask throughout the deposition. At his discretion, Mr. Newell may provide those certified masks to participants. But Mr. Newell shall remove his mask when responding to questions from Plaintiffs’ counsel.
The bit about Gabe providing the masks makes me raise my eyebrow a little, but I think everyone would still be required to wear a mask regardless of whether or not Gabe hands them out at his own expense - I think it’s just so that Gabe can be sure everyone’s mask is up to snuff, if he’s concerned about that.
I mean he is pretty close to being the defendant, up to the limited liability of the company he owns and operates.
It’s also a fact that different courts, and even different judges, may treat things differently. I have no idea how Seattle handles things, but I reckon this is in line with other cases they’ve heard.
Stepping into their shoes, I’d try old rpgs, quests, adventures accumulating in the backlog and already having their share of GOTY awards so you can hop from a masterpiece to a masterpiece.
The trouble is there aren’t enough new games that follow this ethos anymore. In particular, it’s nigh on impossible to find a popular FPS or other multiplayer game that doesn’t have a bunch of microtransactions plastered all over it. That’s the core of their complaint, they used to be able to enjoy multiplayer games for the quality of the game, but the microtransactions dispel the illusion and turn it into a chore.
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This is like one of those websites where you look for the date of the new season of that show you like, and instead of actually giving you any useful information it waffles on and says a whole load of nothing with a line somewhere in the body of the text saying “we don’t actually know anything yet”.
They are not profitable because they make bad business decisions.
Exactly this. Just like how reddit very quickly made enough in reddit gold sales to cover their server costs for decades, the only reason it’s operating at a loss is because they’re running it that way.
Don’t buy Unity games, encourage developers you like to not buy them. Not much you can do really, but hopefully the financial disincentive will put them off. Users don’t want install limits to be placed on their games, and they certainly won’t pay developers for every install.
This is incredibly scummy. Not just for the obvious reason, but also because this is a business to business deal that developers have little room to avoid. It essentially encourages per-install charges for users, or at least limits on how many times you can install the software - which is completely unreasonable, they should only ever limit concurrent installations. If I want to upgrade to a new computer I should be able to move all my software over to it.
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Just had the following email from GOG about account migration for CD Projekt Red games, not quite sure what to make of it. Don’t CDPR own GOG? Why do they need to be separated? What does this mean for the long term future of the services?...
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