In a bold move highlighting growing industry concerns, digital game storefront GOG.com has launched a significant protest against censorship in gaming: a giveaway of 13 classic PC games, completely free, for a limited time.
Dubbed the "Freedom to Buy Games" bundle, the promotion is framed as a direct response to increasing instances of games being altered, restricted, or made completely unavailable in certain regions due to censorship or licensing issues. GOG, long known for its stance on DRM-free gaming and game preservation, argues this trend undermines consumer choice and access.
"We believe you should have the freedom to buy and play the games you want, the way they were meant to be played," reads the announcement on GOG's site. "No matter where you live, you should have access to the same catalog and the same uncut versions of games."
The Protest Bundle: What's Included?
The free bundle isn't just a handful of obscure titles; it includes a substantial collection of well-regarded classics and cult favorites, all DRM-free:
- Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura
- Caesar™ 3
- Caesar™ IV
- Etherlords I & II
- Gorky 17 (Odium)
- Lionheart: Legacy of the Crusader
- Parkan: Iron Strategy
- Parkan II
- Perimeter: Emperor's Testament
- Space Rangers
- Space Rangers 2: Dominators - Reboot
- The Great Art Race
- The Next BIG Thing
How to Claim Your Free Games (Act Fast!)
This giveaway is a direct action, and GOG emphasizes its limited duration. To add these 13 games to your permanent, DRM-free GOG library:
- Head to the official redemption page: https://www.gog.com/redeem/freedomtobuygames
- Or visit the campaign hub: https://items.gog.com/freedomtobuy/index.html
- Log in to your GOG account (or create one free).
- Click the "Get It Free" button on the bundle page. The games will be added directly to your GOG library.
The Bigger Picture: Fighting for Access
While free games are always welcome, GOG is clear that this bundle is more than just a promotion. It's a statement against practices like:
- Region-locking: Preventing the purchase or activation of games based on geographic location.
- Content Removal/Alteration: Changing game assets, dialogue, or mechanics to comply with regional regulations, often without clear labeling or alternative access for players who want the original version.
- Delisting: Games becoming permanently unavailable for purchase on digital storefronts due to expired licenses or other issues, making them inaccessible to new players.
GOG positions its DRM-free model and commitment to preserving older titles as an antidote to these trends. This giveaway serves both to provide immediate value to players and to draw attention to what they see as a critical issue: ensuring gamers worldwide have consistent, uncensored access to titles, both new and old.
Don't Miss Out
The "Freedom to Buy Games" bundle is available for a limited time only. GOG hasn't specified an exact end date, urging users to claim it "while you still can." If you believe in consumer choice and uncensored access to games, or simply want a fantastic collection of classic PC titles for free, visit the redemption links now. This is both a great deal and a chance to support a storefront taking a stand on an important principle in the gaming landscape. Head to GOG and claim your bundle before it's gone!
Post a Comment