Fenixp: It seems precisely like dozens of games GOG has refused previously for non-disclosed reasons. I'm sure they all had their own unique characteristics. The moment this becomes a pattern and GOG starts refusing all violent games sent their way (regardless of some arbitrary rating), that's a reason for concern. As it stands, GOG refusing an indie game they are offered without giving a reason is nothing out of the ordinary.

Fenixp: So basically, your point is that because devs have picked a marketing campaign based on raising controversy, GOG is now not allowed to refuse their game? That's cool, when I make a game, I'll raise a fuss about it being about killing grandmas or something so all stores in the world are forced to accept it.

Tracido: If it were so simple we'd all be watching my little pony and loving it without a care in the world for anything less childlike, or dark.

No, I do not support censorship, but law I understand, along with profit, and honoring your customers.

Fenixp: You didn't actually bother to answer my question. So, I'll ask again: Because Devs have decided to raise controversy around Hatred, GOG is now obliged to sell their game, regardless of what GOG thinks of its quality, price, and relevance?

Tracido: The haters raised so much controversy it's #1 of the top FIFTY, I'd say they turned things out well. The devs have only tried to calm the flames as best as possible.

Tracido: If GOG elitists want to suckle dry air instead of income, why would I miss it?

Fenixp: Devs have done what? Nonetheless, yes, the negative press worked great as a marketing campaign.

Fenixp: I'm pretty sure GOG is far better aware of their budget than you are.

Now, to the question you very conveniently keep refusing to answer (naturally, there's only one answer to it): No, GOG should not be stripped of their right to refuse to sell a product because of marketing campaign devs chose for it. There are dozens of legitimate reasons as to why could GOG refuse a product. I'm not saying there's no chance of them refusing it out of political correctness, nonetheless, technical quality, perceived quality of the product, pricing, GOG's perceived standards of the store or just plain old disagreement with Hatred developers are all perfectly valid reasons for refusal. Perhaps GOG just wants to wait until the product is more fleshed out before they allow it to their store. Perhaps they want to wait for the price to drop. Perhaps they dislike system requirements. But sure, let's just pick a reason as we see fit and yell bloody murder.

Tracido: Bwahahaha, 7 months ago, yeah, BEFORE even one TENTH of the shit happened. You haven't the foggiest what war us fans just went through...

Tracido: I'll tell you what though, since you are definitely someone that knows this place well, I actually get what you mean, and understand, I can be patient, I have loved GOG and CDPR for many, many years, deeply.

Tracido: Are you the millionth to miss the joke?

I'm saying the irony of school is all I see. Kiddies defending the right to ban something they don't like.

Fenixp: It's perfectly fine to "fight" for what you like (internet battles being used in the loosest sense of the word fight), but overdoing it just means you become what you're fighting against. You can't fight censorhip and right for freedom of expression by removing these rights from other people.

Fenixp: Thank you, that's all I'm asking for. Wait and see. If this turns out to be a recurring issue and I see pattern in GOG refusing games because they think those games are too violent for their audience, then I'll take issue with such behavior. I prefer deciding for myself what I'll stomach. Nonetheless, jumping at conclusions causes a lot of harm in all walks of life, and the way I see it, GOG already sells a decent amount of games with highly adult themes (like The Cat Lady)

Vainamoinen: So as things stand right now, we have several rather distinct reasons that could have led GOG to the decision not to publish Hatred on their platform.

GOG was dissatisfied with the game's quality
When Raven's Cry was ripped to shreds by critics for their attempt at a storyline and their record breaking bug load, the Hatred developers famously stepped in to defend that product of other devs. They were convinced that they would face equal criticism when Hatred released. Only because of the violence overload, or indeed, just like in the gamespot review of Raven's Cry, at length for technical shortcomings? This may become clear in just about a few days, so I'm holding my breath.

GOG decider(s) had personal ethical concerns
GOG doesn't have to defend themselves for these kinds of business decisions, but if this was true, I'd love to have a word with the responsible person. Not because I'd accuse him of anything, or would try to change his mind, but because it's true enough that GOG already hosts similarly violent games, and proudly so.

Developers considered GOG only as an afterthought
Seven weeks before release, the Steam and Desura deals were long finalized, but the developers weren't even sure by then whether they WANTED to release Hatred on GOG (fact according to a reply to a customer inquiry). When they eventually wanted, GOG may not have been interested any more – or was frankly pissed to be treated that way as a halfway influential game publisher.

GOG "caved to SJW outrage"
The most unlikely of the four, and not just because "SJW" is a fantasy figure. Valve sells Hatred, Desura sells Hatred, and to the developers' knowledge, GOG obviously still offered to evaluate the game less than two months ago, long after the developers gathered advertising outrage and Newell endorsement. In other words, the information that led GOG to not add Hatred to their catalog must have been fairly recent while the controversy around Hatred and its developers had been most breeding in 2014.

bad_fur_day1: Nope, it's just not a game young males would enjoy in my opinion. Not sure if you've played it but it's a drama romance game, hence the kids will hate it, not for being pretentious, but because there is no action and explosions. (I'm not agains't explosions myself.)

It's kind of pointless even continuing, you've obviously made up your mind about it, anything I say is not going to convince you.

LeonardoCornejo: It is not a drama romance game, it is not even a game, it is more like a tech demo for a game with a poor story. And I am an adult. I enjoy games which have non violent or even serious tones, it is just that this game fails at doing so.