GOG announced that it is expanding its preservation program to include delisted games as Blizzard requested to pull out Warcraft 1 and Warcraft 2 from the program.
The PC platform posted a blog revealing that Blizzard was asking for the two titles to be removed from GOG's storefront on Dec. 13, 2024.
The latter confirmed that it planned to comply with the request but would ensure that the games would continue to live on through the program.
GOG Expands Preservation Program
GOG pledged that moving forward it would work to maintain a game's compatibility, even if it is delisted from the store itself. It added that people who own these delisted games can still expect a seamless experience and continued tech support.
The platform also noted that it will work to be aware of potential changes to Windows OS that could affect a game's playability.
The GOG Preservation Program aims to keep older games alive and guarantee that they are compatible with modern or future PC hardware, according to Game Developer.
The program currently only covers Windows platforms and features various titles like the first three games in the Resident Evil franchise and a few other titles. GOG explained last month that it wanted to address concerns about game preservation.
A study in 2023 showed that almost all of the games that were released before 2010 are now inaccessible to players. A separate study made this year revealed that Australia's game industry is facing various problems with preservation.
GOG also released a discount code for Warcraft 1 and Warcraft 2, MakeWarcraftLiveForever, that reduces the price of the bundle by $2.
Blizzard's request to delist the games on GOG comes as the studio did not reveal if it was doing the same on its own storefront, PCGamer said.
Delisting Warcraft 1 and Warcraft 2
Blizzard's request to GOG comes a few weeks after the official launch of the remasters for both Warcraft 1 and Warcraft 2. The latter also launched its preservation program last month in order to build a collection of classic titles.
It promises that the games included in the program are the best and most complete versions that are attainable. They will also include various quality-of-life improvements and will receive continued support moving forward.
GOG describes the latest development as heartbreaking, adding that even with its best efforts and dedication, things are not going that well.
The fortunate thing about GOG games is their offline drivers. This lets them be accessible to those who already bought them, according to Games Radar.
