what is the reason games that are removed from gog.com can no longer be downloaded by existing customers? those who bought the game? i understand no longer selling it, but to not be able to re-download it? the mind boggles.

Odd, I can still d/l Hostile Waters and it's extra content.

They can be.

I think most of the discontinued games can be still be downloaded by those who bought them can't they? I thought they were only a couple removed completely and I figure that is due to demands from the publisher.

Unless something changed with the recent site update, everyone who bought a game has always been able to continue downloading it, even after it has been pulled from the catalog.

I believe GoG has stated that games once purchased will always be available for download, even if publisher goes bankrupt or something like that.

A recent post from a GOG staffer states there is no guarantee.

I quote: a) No, we aren't certain.
b) GOG.com has never in the past had to remove a game from redownloadability (is that even a word?) for people who bought the game. Will it ever happen in the future? We don't know.

We're making no definitive statements here because we simply don't know what's going on. Since we don't know what's going to happen, though, we thought you'd appreciate a heads up since we're offering the games for crazy sale. GOG.com will of course do everything in our power to keep your game on your shelf for as long as the sun continues to burn. Since it's an uncertain world, though, rife with hazard and doubt, we hope you'll understand when we tell you "we don't know."

http://www.gog.com/en/forum/general/jowood_week_long_special_promo_up_to_75_off/post141/

As it is, games removed from sale can currently be downloaded regardless, although there was a time shortly after the move from beta when not all files related to such games could be downloaded.

So if in doubt, always make a local backup of all files as soon as you complete your purchase.

Listen to Bansama. He is wise. Having said that, i can still DL Toca Race Driver.

Oh crap...

Going to back up my Jowood games right now. Thanks Bansama.

i see. i was informed by someone who said he can no longer download colin mcrae rally 05 even though he purchased when it was available. can you guys confirm that specific title? it's the one he mentioned before. if you guys did too and you CAN still download it i shall have some words for him indeed. i'm not personally affected but i did buy the jowood pack since they're going bust and i have not download it - and don't really plan anytime soon. in all honesty i don't buy any "contracts" excuse from gog if/when games are removed. the solution is really simple. gog should stipulate in their LEGALLY BINDING contracts that users who purchase games will be able to download the games they PAID for as long as gog exists. if the publisher doesn't agree don't sign them. why would a piblisher not agree to this? even steam allows removed games to be installed/played after they have been pulled - as they should. and steam has removed a lot of games over time.

btw, if they do remove some games, you know what would be cool? if they kept a picture of the game on the shelf but grey it out. huh huh?


btw i'm not going to make a new topic but i won't be getting the witcher 2 as i intended due to the recent censorship announcement. that's insane. correct me if i'm wrong but didn't gog previously LOUDLY proclaim that they only ever sell one version of a game to the whole world? as it should be btw. and now they are doing this shit. this is not acceptable. please don't patronize me with comments like "it's only a minor change - it doesn't really affect the gameplay". it does and if nothing else, it's the principal. now i'll have to double check any future game (gog purchase) that is controversial to make sure it's not censored in ANY way. and i certainly hope they don't retrospectively edit games now. i know someone from gog IS reading this, so can you please have the decency to answer this particular concern. if you have to "check" with someone higher up the food chain, please do. seems that gog is already starting to show cracks in it's foundation. getting bigger and more popular does that to companies. it ain't right.

You can still download Colin McCrae if you previously bought it. GOG cannot stipulate continuous dowloads in their contracts, they don't have the legal grounds or rights to do that it. The games are the property of the rights holder to do with as they decide, even if that means removing them from GOG completely. That doesn't mean rights holders won't voluntary allow that, but they cannot be legally bound to do that.


You have a problem with it, take it up with your government. They're the ones that forced CDPRed and GOG to break their word. Be thankful that CDPRed/GOG didn't simply say "fine, then we won't sell the game to Australians".

BTW - No one from GOG is reading this, they hardly ever come to the forums anymore.

Because they want to keep control on their IP, I am pretty sure very few publisher, except maybe some indy one, would accept to sign a contract with such a clause.

Steam allows removed games to be downloaded/activated because the publisher let them too, it's exactly the same thing that GoG letting you download removed games, it's only because the publisher agree. All contract I have ever seen or heard about concerning IP rights are time limited, after a certain number of years you have to renegotiate them.

Steam is not any safer than GoG, it's even much worse, if tomorrow a publisher ask Steam to removes a game "completely", not only you won't be able to re-download it but you will also be unable to activate it and play it while with GoG you will still be able to continue playing it you already downloaded it.

And that folks, is why i burn all the games i've downloaded here on gog, if i wasn't able to, i wouldn't have paid a single cent towards anything here.

Ahhh! You scared me!

Ladies and gentlemen, the exception that proves the rule... TheEnigmaticT!