I liked the idea of the surprise, but if it's going to present me games I already own (without warning), then I'd rather not have an "unpleasant surprise". But the Saturday "Timeless Classics" surprise is something I own: Anachronox. So now I get to do nothing, and can't pick any other choice.

I'd like to avoid repeating that. As surprises arise, feel free to spoil them for me here. I'd like to figure out if "Timeless Classics" is one I already own (and pick Random Magic), or if it's something I should try. And I figure others must be hitting this as well.

Saturday "Random Magic" surprise?
Sunday "Timeless Classics" surprise?
Sunday "Random Magic" surprise?

The surprise games are different for each customer. You cannot know which one you'll get before you open the parcel.

There's a thread which tries to determine the pools from which the games are drawn (apparently randomly), let me see if I can find it ...

Edit: Here it is, have a look: http://www.gog.com/forum/general/daily_personal_deals_tracker_2013_drmfree_winter_sale

There's also a thread that was set up to allow you to trade your deal with someone else. http://www.gog.com/forum/general/white_elephant_daily_personal_deals_exchange
Maybe that'll make the spoiled surprise less disappointing.

Thanks for the explanation and suggestions.

I suspect the gift boxes may be designed to get newcomers to create accounts once they've reached the front page. ("Oooh, I wonder what I'll be offered... Let's pick one... Oh, account required, okay...") Those of us who already own a large chunk of the catalogue (and hence a large chunk of the bargain pool) are probably not the main targets, psychologically speaking.

That makes sense - but it also has to ask you for a login, or we'd all open the site repeatedly to see different deals.

Getting the "already owned" surprise is annoying enough that I think I'll need to switch my approach. I originally aimed for Timeless Classics, since most of my wishlist is drawn from those. But apparently I own so many timeless classics already, that 3 of the 4 offers are games I already own.

Since my wishlist seems hopeless, I'm switching to "Random Magic" just to see what I find there.

This is why I'm happy I still have X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter on disc. I got it complete in box for about 25-30 bucks (or so) from a friend about a month or two after release because they couldn't get into it. Their loss was my gain, and they kept the game in great shape, so there wasn't even a scratch on the discs. :D

There's a fine line between dreaming and being delusional... ;P

DITTO. Mine didn't come in the box but the disc are in the jewel cases in MINT condition. It's got Tie, X-Wing, and X-Wing Flight School (kind of useless) but I later snagged Balance of Power which is pretty nice. I probably paid about the same as you did.

I've noticed that the images for the daily surprises have changed when you're logged out. Instead of non-descript gift packages, there are now three game titles as examples to choose from (System Shock 2, Deus Ex and another I forgot). Could that mean that GOG is changing their tactics and will let us choose between three games from now on? Or is it just to lure more customers in? I really hope it's the first. :)

I guess we'll know in a few minutes.

I noticed that too. The old way was more fun. I liked clicking Random Magic, felt like rolling a treasure chest dice in a RPG.

Dunno, I guess it depends on whether GOG wanted this to be an entertaining gimmick or whether it was meant as a real marketing strategy. Personally I find the new option more useful, but then again, I already own most of the games I want. Even with the new system I got one game I already own on GOG, one game I already own from IGS, and one game I once borrowed from a friend, didn't get into and will probably never play again ...

The old way was more fun; but it got old fast if it suggested things you didn't want. I think the random idea is good; but if you're going to make people choose then its fair to tip the hand and show them. AT the end of the day GoG want something that is fun - interesting and that generates sales not complaints.

*NOW* you're talking! :) Sadly, probably not going to happen. We'll have to settle for getting a list of 3 games we already own every day as a compromise for now. :)