GOG Laments Steam's Censorship Woes as a Game Preservation Crisis

In a heated debate that continues to ripple across the gaming world, CD Projekt’s GOG has stepped into the fray, calling attention to what it sees as an escalating crisis of game preservation. At the heart of the controversy is the recent decision by Steam to delist hundreds of adult games following pressure from payment processors, a move that has left the community reeling.

A Controversial Wave of Censorship

The stir began in July 2025 when Steam made the sudden announcement to remove a significant number of titles from its platform. Valve pointed to external pressures, particularly from payment processors influenced by the activism of groups like Collective Shout, as the catalyst for this drastic measure. This decision has ignited widespread criticism and drawn intense scrutiny toward the actors involved in facilitating such censorship.

GOG’s Stand on Game Preservation

Piotr Gnyp, GOG’s Senior PR representative, voices a crucial perspective often overshadowed in the uproar. For GOG, the removal of these games isn’t just a regulatory hiccup; it’s a dire threat to game preservation. “Any title delisted for any reason has the potential to vanish into digital oblivion,” Gnyp lamented, highlighting GOG’s mission to archive classic titles for future generations. This stance resonates with GOG’s original commitment to preserving “good old” games, an ethos deeply embedded in their operation.

Balancing Curatorial Freedom and Consumer Choice

Unlike the free-for-all nature of some platforms, GOG has maintained a curated approach, emphasizing quality, relevance, and alignment with its community’s values. This strategy offers a distinctive advantage: GOG’s DRM-free and offline installer model, ensuring that games remain accessible even if the platform ceases operations. It’s a compelling proposition for those wary of sudden deletions and digital rights crises.

The Wider Implications of Digital Censorship

The ramifications of this censorship wave extend beyond game availability; they touch upon the broader themes of digital rights and regulation. While Si GOG, Steam, and other storefronts must maneuver within the complex legal landscapes of the countries they serve, the recent delistings underscore the fragile state of digital content preservation outside legal battles.

As discussions continue and anti-censorship petitions circulate, GOG’s insistence on the essential nature of preserving digital assets echoes a sentiment shared by many. In a world where games can vanish at the whim of external pressures, safeguarding these cultural artifacts becomes not just a business decision but a moral imperative. According to Game Rant, maintaining access to these games ensures that the digital legacies of our time remain intact for future exploration.