GOG has introduced the GOG Preservation Program, an initiative that goals to maintain sure video games playable endlessly regardless of whether or not their builders are nonetheless supporting them or not.
Over on the official Preservation Program web site, the corporate warns that “time is erasing the video games that formed you”, however that “we are able to battle again” by way of this system, which “ensures basic video games stay playable on fashionable programs”.
In response to GOG, video games that belong to the initiative will probably be DRM-free and eligible for “devoted tech help”, so even when one thing does go improper, you’ll get assist to repair it.
In a followup thread on X (previously Twitter), GOG says that the initiative options “up to date, improved, or quality-tested builds”, and that should you see the Preservation Program stamp on a recreation’s GOG web page, meaning you’ll get pleasure from it in your PC “hassle-free”.
Video games presently included in this system embrace the likes of the unique three Resident Evil video games, the unique Diablo and its Hellfire enlargement, and Heroes of Would possibly and Magic 3, in addition to Legacy of Kain: Defiance, Dragon Age: Origins, and extra.
GOG cites the Video Sport Historical past Basis as saying that “87% of video games created earlier than 2010 are inaccessible right this moment”, a sobering statistic that demonstrates simply how crucial an initiative like this actually is.
You may additionally discover an FAQ on the Preservation Program’s web site that gives extra details about the initiative. It contains data like what to do when a stamped recreation does not work, in addition to whether or not basic GOG video games are essentially worse than these included within the Program (the reply being no, after all).
GOG says it desires “a whole bunch of video games” to return with the GOG Preservation Program stamp by the tip of 2025, so you’ll be able to anticipate heaps extra video games to be added to this initiative as time goes on. Keep tuned for extra.