CD Projekt, the Polish titan behind global hits like The Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077, has formally divested its digital storefront, GOG, in an internal buyout that reshapes the European gaming landscape.

The move separates the studio’s creative engine from its retail arm, handing full control to co-founder Michał Kiciński for $25 million (approx. KES 3.2 billion). For the gaming community, the sale signals a definitive pivot: CD Projekt is clearing the decks to focus entirely on building new worlds, while GOG returns to its roots as a bastion of game preservation.

A Strategic Uncoupling

The acquisition ends nearly two decades of corporate integration. CD Projekt co-CEO Michał Nowakowski described the sale as a necessary evolution for the studio’s ambitious roadmap.

“We felt this was the right time for this move,” Nowakowski noted in a press statement on Monday, emphasizing that the capital and focus will now be directed toward expanding their flagship franchises. He assured stakeholders that GOG is passing into “very good hands” under Kiciński’s stewardship.

For Kiciński, who holds a significant stake in the parent company, the purchase is more than a financial transaction; it is a commitment to a specific philosophy of digital ownership. Unlike market leader Steam, GOG (formerly Good Old Games) has built its reputation on a strict “no-DRM” (Digital Rights Management) policy.

The 'Kenyan Lens': Why DRM-Free Matters Here

While this is a corporate restructuring in Poland, the implications resonate with the Kenyan gamer. In a market where internet connectivity can be costly and data bundles are a precious commodity, GOG’s model offers a distinct advantage over competitors.

Most modern platforms require regular online “handshakes” to verify ownership, locking players out if their connection drops. GOG’s approach is different:

• True Ownership: Once a game is downloaded, it belongs to the user. No server checks required.
• Offline Installers: Users can back up game files to external hard drives—a critical feature for gamers in Nairobi or Mombasa dealing with fluctuating ISP reliability.
• Legacy Support: The platform specializes in patching classic games to run on modern Windows systems, preserving titles that might otherwise vanish.

Business as Usual for Gamers

Despite the ownership shuffle, GOG has moved quickly to quell fears regarding user libraries. In an FAQ released shortly after the announcement, the company confirmed that existing customers will retain full access to their purchased titles and offline installers.

Crucially, the two entities have signed a commercial agreement ensuring that future CD Projekt titles will continue to launch on GOG day-and-date with other platforms.

Maciej Gołębiewski, GOG’s Managing Director, framed the buyout as a defensive move against a digital ecosystem that increasingly treats games as temporary rentals.

“In a market that’s getting more crowded, more locked-in, and forgets classic games at an increasing pace, we’re doubling down on what only GOG does,” Gołębiewski said. “GOG and Michał Kiciński are aligned by a shared belief that games should live forever.”