Going Gog Gone

quarryman

See what i did there?

http://www.gog.com/

Dear GOG users,

We have recently had to give serious thought to whether we could really keep GOG.com the way it is. We've debated on it for quite some time and, unfortunately, we've decided that GOG.com simply cannot remain in its current form.

We're very grateful for all support we've received from all of you in the past two years. Working on GOG.com was a great adventure for all of us and an unforgettable journey to the past, through the long and wonderful history of PC gaming.

This doesn't mean the idea behind GOG.com is gone forever. We're closing down the service and putting this era behind us as new challenges await.

On a technical note, this week we'll put in place a solution to allow everyone to re-download their games. Stay tuned to this page and follow us on Twitter and Facebook for updates.

All the best,
GOG.com Team

johnny_ultimate

That's a shame. I always wanted to get stuff off it like the earlier Fallout games, but I only turn on my windows PC like once every six months so never much use . Definitely say it's difficult to run a classic PC game service, much more so than the success the consoles enjoy. Hopefully they'll be back with a new model and some success!

Retr0gamer

****, I have a good few games bought from them and haven't got them backed up. Very disappointed that the service didn't work out.

Mantel

Rumours are it's a marketing stunt for the transition from beta.

thewheel2.0

Mantel wrote: »

Rumours are it's a marketing stunt for the transition from beta.

Theres something strange about it alright. They guy behind it is reassuring people on twitter that everything will be fine...hmmmm.

Retr0gamer

The rumour is that the DRM free games will no longer be DRM free.

VenomIreland

I don't care if they used cracks for Arcanum or whatever other games, I miss them already

K.O.Kiki

Well, at least we'll always have Steam.

Dave_The_Sheep

If this is some sort of marketing stunt/ploy/joke/whatever, then it's a very poor one. One that would make me seriously consider never using them again.

If its genuinely them shutting down, then that's sad, because it was a great site, with some great games at great prices.

I'm very disappointed in the way the notice was given. Although if we can download our purchases after this as the latest update seems to say, then that'll be lessened somewhat.

Latest news:

gog.com wrote:

UPDATE 20.09.2010
First of all, we apologize everyone for the whole situation and closing GOG.com. We do understand the timing for taking down the site caused confusion and many users didn't manage to download all their games. Unfortunately we had to close the service due to business and technical reasons.

At the same time we guarantee that every user who bought any game on GOG.com will be able to download all their games with bonus materials, DRM-free and as many times as they need starting this Thursday.

The official statement from GOG.com's management concerning the ongoing events is planned on Wednesday. If you want to receive further information about GOG.com, please send an email to update_media@gog.com if you're a media representative or to update_users@gog.com if you're a user without a GOG account.
If you have a GOG.com account you'll be informed about all the news concerning GOG.com.

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

yeeks
better make sure i download my old games so, i was planning on a replay of blood and blood 2 soon enough anyway

wayne040576

Dave_The_Sheep wrote: »

If this is some sort of marketing stunt/ploy/joke/whatever, then it's a very poor one. One that would make me seriously consider never using them again.

If its genuinely them shutting down, then that's sad, because it was a great site, with some great games at great prices.

I'm very disappointed in the way the notice was given. Although if we can download our purchases after this as the latest update seems to say, then that'll be lessened somewhat.

Latest news:

It's very strange. They had their last deal only on thursday, then they closed the site the following day. Why do a deal that would generate more sales if you were closing the next day?

I still have a few games on my account that I haven't downloaded yet.

Dave_The_Sheep

Yeah, its weird. No emails to their users is what is making it the strangest for me. It just doesn't fit with all the work they've done up until now - which has been top drawer. This just feels wrong.

Retr0gamer

New video on the website and an announcement in the next few hours:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDRvuKjissQ

Look very closely. Baldurs Gate?

I think it's pretty much confirmed that the site is just going out of beta and this is a publicity stunt with a **** load of new games on the service.

Dave_The_Sheep

Retr0gamer wrote: »

I think it's pretty much confirmed that the site is just going out of beta and this is a publicity stunt with a **** load of new games on the service.

I saw that alright. Very strange, but backs up the feeling that something\someone is acting the tit somewhere.

Very odd form of publicity stunt, really, if that's the case. Annoying all your users, they'll have lost a lot of goodwill - especially for a site renowned for being straight with their customers. I wonder how they expect to make it back up to those people who are (rightly) miffed at this - including myself.

Though I suppose if they keep providing a great service with lots of great new games, most people will forgive them, they'll get a lot of publicity and all will be forgiven.

Retr0gamer

We'll find out soon. New announcement in 20 minutes. I'd say it's a site relaunch with the system out of beta and a load more publishers on the band wagon. Could be a steam like service even and maybe with DRM though. Just speculation at this stage. If they get Planetscape Torment up there and maybe System Shock 2 I'll forgive them

quarryman

Retr0gamer wrote: »

Planetscape Torment

VenomIreland

I already have PlaneScape through *cough* other methods *cough* but I'd gladly get it from GoG, if they manage a full install properly (i.e. they don't eff up and forget to point a text file towards cd2's contents)

quarryman

VenomIreland wrote: »

I already have PlaneScape through *cough* other methods *cough* but I'd gladly get it from GoG, if they manage a full install properly (i.e. they don't eff up and forget to point a text file towards cd2's contents)

Me too. I have the disks on my shelf but its a pain in the h**e re-installing them, editing the .ini file etc.

Meirleach

I wonder what's coming up, DRM on the games? I could see them trying to implement some sort of games subscription service(think audible, but for games not audio books).

Anyway kinda sad at the news, a few games I still had to download and many more that I meant to buy.

Dave_The_Sheep

Well, there we go. Just going into Beta:

First of all we would like to apologize everyone who felt deceived or harmed in any way by us closing down GOG.com without any warning and without giving access to your games. We apologize for that from the bottom of our hearts!

Now it's time we put an end to all the speculations once and for all. It’s true that we decided that we couldn't keep GOG.com the way it was… so we won’t. As you probably know by now, GOG.com is entering its new era with an end of the two-years beta stage and we're launching a brand new GOG.com with new, huge releases.

The new GOG.com will launch at 8.00 a.m. EDT (2 p.m. CET). Later today we'll provide you here 4 videos where you'll find all needed information on current events, as well as news on the new GOG.com, the upcoming big releases and the summary of the last two years.

I think they really really misjudged people on this one and didn't expect the backlash online. I doubt they'll really lose that many people though, and will gain a lot more users as the publicity from this has grown.

I'm really disappointed in them and they've lost a lot of credibility, but I suppose I'll get over it so long as they keep providing the same great service. Still, they've apologized and it seems genuine, fair enough.

Mantel

Must be from the Michael O'leary school of pr.

Retr0gamer

I've heard they have the D&D license so launching on thursday with Baldurs Gate 1 and 2, Neverwinter Nights 2 and (drool) Planetscape Torment? I'll forgive them.

VenomIreland

Planetscape Torment? I'll forgive them.

Planetscape Torment?

Planetscape

:rolleyes:

Retr0gamer

Why can't I be excited? Everyone is telling me I have to play it. Here's my chance.

Skerries

because it's Planescape not Planetscape

Retr0gamer

Oops.

Give me a break, I was always too cool for Dungeons and Dragons and never went near it

I've been calling it Planetscape for years now! I'm a dope.

quarryman

Retr0gamer wrote: »

Oops.

Give me a break, I was always too cool for Dungeons and Dragons and never went near it

I've been calling it Planetscape for years now! I'm a dope.

Don't worry Retro, I still haven't played Panzer Dragon Saga either....

Btw, broadcast when you get PS:T, I'd love to replay it myself, a synchronized playthrough would be great.

Retr0gamer

Will do. You know in the contexts of where the game is set, Planescape makes a whole lot more sense

Mantel

Retr0gamer wrote: »

Neverwinter Nights 2

Any Neverwinter Nights (1)? Or Ice Wind Dale They're a bit older than NWN 2.

Retr0gamer

Rumour also includes neverwinter nights 1 and the icewind dale games. That is if there's any truth in it but with baldurs gate hinted at it's seems very likely. We'll find out tomorrow I guess.

Retr0gamer

So GoG is back, out of beta and the servers are getting hammered. They also have Baldurs Gate with the expansion up on their to buy list with hopefully more to come.

quarryman

Retr0gamer wrote: »

So GoG is back, out of beta and the servers are getting hammered. They also have Baldurs Gate with the expansion up on their to buy list with hopefully more to come.

Hopefully they sort BG2 and Planescape Torment too so.

I've never bought a game off them before, does it download expanded and ready to play like Steam or do I have to do an install?

Retr0gamer

It's nothing like steam, you just download basically a cracked version of the game and install it. It's a fantastci system with no DRM.

Will get my Fallout games later. Just went through their catalogue. Have to get me Outcast, cannon fodder, commandos, heroes of might and magic and Baldurs Gate and a few others!

wayne040576

I was about to buy Baldurs Gate last night when I remembered that I still have a boxed copy + expansion that I bought years back. Wasn't sure if it'd work on windows 7 64 but I decided to try.

Installed (all 5 discs) and it ran perfectly.

humanji

wayne040576 wrote: »

I was about to buy Baldurs Gate last night when I remembered that I still have a boxed copy + expansion that I bought years back. Wasn't sure if it'd work on windows 7 64 but I decided to try.

Installed (all 5 discs) and it ran perfectly.

Isn't there also some sort of texture upgrade you can down load for that, to give the graphics a bit more umph?

wayne040576

humanji wrote: »

Isn't there also some sort of texture upgrade you can down load for that, to give the graphics a bit more umph?

Yeah somebody posted about that here a while back. Must see if I can dig it up. It does look a bit 'dated' now.

EDIT: Think this is it:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055229143&highlight=Baldurs

Retr0gamer

It's not really a texture update more it lets the game run in a higher resolution so everything is smaller but less blockier. It does show up how good the prerendered art was in these games though, they still look great.

quarryman

Retr0gamer wrote: »

It's not really a texture update more it lets the game run in a higher resolution so everything is smaller but less blockier. It does show up how good the prerendered art was in these games though, they still look great.

yep. its the only way I run the Infinity Engine games now.

I don't like mods that change the gameplay or textures significantly but the widescreen mod just takes advantage of better hardware without changing the experience of the game.

Dave_The_Sheep

Seems the "prank" did them no harm. Twenty times their previous record traffic was recorded yesterday, allegedly.

Hands up, who bought Baldur's Gate?

quarryman

Dave_The_Sheep wrote: »

Seems the "prank" did them no harm. Twenty times their previous record traffic was recorded yesterday, allegedly.

Hands up, who bought Baldur's Gate?

nope. the weakest of the pair. Holding out for BG2.

Adyx

Has anyone else had problems getting Septerra Core to run? I've tried it on Win 7 and Win XP with no luck.

OT: It was a crappy stunt, but it won't stop me using the site. Especially if they keep putting on the special deals. Already have BG though. Is Fallout:Tactics any good? I know it's different to FO 1 & 2.

VenomIreland

Personally, I love Fallout 1 and 2 but I amn't a big fan of Tactics.

super_furry

Ànyone got the Baldurs gate from there? If you can play it on Windows 7 with a decent resolution, i'm sold.

quarryman

Decided to boot up Baldurs Gate 2 today and ended up playing most of the day. Got sucked right back in.

Once the high res mod is applied it feels quite modern.

They really don't make games like it anymore. Huge game in terms of playtime, complex battle system, deep story.

Baldurs gate, planescape torment and icewind Dale, the Golden Era of RPGs.

Retr0gamer

super_furry wrote: »

Ànyone got the Baldurs gate from there? If you can play it on Windows 7 with a decent resolution, i'm sold.

Their forums say it works with windows 7 and since you are downloading a cracked version of the game it's free to be modified as well.

muppetkiller

http://www.mymemory.co.uk/PC-Games/Generic/Baldur%27s-Gate-4-in-1-Boxset-%28PC%29-%28DVD%29


For the Baldurs Fans

Retr0gamer

Seems they are releasing more Atari/Hasbro games in the future. The Atari/Hasbro is the clue, atari own the rights to the old D&D games while Hasbro own the current rights to D&D videogames.

Mantel

You got your wish

http://www.gog.com/en/gamecard/planescape_torment

Retr0gamer

Got myself some money today as well

quarryman

Mantel wrote: »

You got your wish

http://www.gog.com/en/gamecard/planescape_torment

omg omg omg omg omg omg.

i definitely think a boards playthrough is required for this.

don't forget to go widescreen folks... (see my thread here).

Retr0gamer

I have to say the prerendering is absolutely gorgeous in that game, and I usually hate prerendering (Donkey Kong Country, barf!)