I am posting this here, since I contacted the support and they clearly do not want to answer (I will quote their only reply, which dodged the issue).

1) It appears that GOG has made some of their distributions available for sale by other companies.

2) I found this out very recently, after buying OUTCAST from GamersGate (http://www.gamersgate.co.uk/DD-OUTCAST/outcast)
When I ran the installer, I saw that this was the GOG version (there was a very visible GOG logo and no possible mistake).

3) I then wanted to add this to my list of owned softwares at GOG; I then emailed GOG's support, providing them with proof of purchase from GamersGate, and explicitely mentioning that it was GOG's own version.

4) I received the following answer:
================ quote =============================================
I'm afraid that it's impossible to register a non-GOG version of a game on our service. To all intents and purposes, please treat the GOG releases and other releases (digital and retail as completely separate products.

Regards,
(name edited out)
GOG.com Support
This answer concerns ticket number OJTNAIW4, which is now closed.
You can reply to this e-mail to reopen the ticket.
================ end quote ==========================================

5) I then immediately repiied to this email:
================ quote =============================================
It IS the GOG version, sold through GamersGate.
If you are not aware that Gamersgate is distributing your version, then there is a problem somwhere ...
================ end quote ==========================================

.. to which GOG's support apparently refuses to answer.


There are 2 possibilities here:

1) GamersGate has a legitimate agreement with GOG, the right to distribute their version, and therefore GOG has to acknowledge those copies.

2) GamersGate DOES NOT have such agreement, and therefore those would be stolen copies; in which case there would be obviously a criminal action due, and on my end I would entitled to require refund from GamersGate, then buy from GOG.
However, to do this, I need such a statement from GOG (to pass on to GamersGate), rather than a stone wall.

I am expecting an answer from GOG's management, since their support staff refuses to answer.

If you are expecting an answer from the management, feel free to ignore mine.

This has come out before, the most probable explanation is that any installer GOG.com makes is also available to the publisher to do with as they like. If the publisher decides to use that installer in other stores, they can do that. The D&D are the GOG.com installers, as are the thief, tomb raider and possible the hitman games on steam.

But since you want an answer from the management, and the support staff isn't answering you fast enough (though they do have to ask and see if they can get an answer as well), feel free to ignore me.

3) GoG has a legitimate agreement with Atari - making the installer and having exclusive rights for a limited time. When the time has expired, Atari may use the wrapper / installer / what-ever in other packages distributed elsewhere. Therefore it is an Atari distribution, not a GoG distribution, and you are not entitled to anything more then in your contract with GamersGate.


This seems to be common practice, quite a few games around with GOG wrappers now. If I remember correctly there where a few here also with DotEmu wrappers.

Just because other sites have a deal to use GOG's tweaks for old games does not mean you own a GOG version or get the game off their servers.

Common sense yo. If you care so much about owning everything here, buy them here.

Jmich is right, gog versions are handed out by the publisher, not gog.

I would assume they earn an exclusive sale period by allowing their compatibility work to be used to distribute elsewhere eventually. Works out well for everyone, probably.

It is kind of weird for other distributors to sell GOG installer games.

Saying that though, places such as Greenman gaming and gamersgate sell steam keys, and people are fine with that....

It does, and it makes sense.

Keep on dreaming.

Yes but who said GOG made them? Outcast is a Atari product not GOG's GOG just had some files that are used to make the product run on newer hardware they own the game about as much as the guys who created DOSbox own any game here that GOG uses DOSbox to run.

GOG did not make the game, just an install routine for it.

Feel free to bring your case to court however. Let us know how that works out for you.

What you're missing is that in the case of any game using a GOG installer being sold on other sites, GOG is neither the seller nor the manufacturer (they didn't make the game after all).
They're merely a subcontractor who made the game playable on modern systems, they don't have any legal obligation to you if you didn't buy the game on GOG.

And as StingingVelvet said, if you want your games on GOG buy them on GOG.
And no, support or management don't need to answer to you, considering that you're not actually asking questions on one of their product.

No no no. Just because it is the GOG packaged release doesn't mean it has anything to do with GOG. It will be the rights holder of the game that has supplied GamersGate with the GOG release. They're allowed to do this because they own the game outright. GOG has no obligation to grant you anything, they were not involved in any way in your contract with GamersGate.

No, it does not, as it is not GOG's distribution, it is Atar's, even though GOG made the wrapper it is most likely Atari who holds the rights to it. it would be unlawful for Atari to sell it, but it depends on the deal they have with Atari. If Atari holds the rights and GOG only had a limited distribution right, then they can re-sell the game with the wrapper from gog on other sites. Legally. And without any ties. The manufacturer in this case will be considered to be Atari. You do not go to the steel mill to complain about your Ferrari, just because they made a steel bar in your car. Only if Atari is not the rights holder, which they most likely are.