CD Projekt Co-Founder Acquires GOG in $25M Deal

Michał Kiciński, co-founder of CD Projekt, has acquired total ownership of the DRM-free video game storefront GOG for PLN 90.7 million ($25 million). The acquisition was fully financed through committed funding and did not involve selling any of Kiciński's CD Projekt shares.

The storefront will continue operating independently under its new owner, maintaining its DRM-free philosophy and ongoing work to keep classic titles playable on modern PCs. A distribution agreement ensures CD Projekt Red games remain listed on GOG, while the sale aligns with CD Projekt's strategy to focus on developing and publishing video games.

GOG was started by CD Projekt in 2008 with a stated mission to preserve "Good Old Games," which inspired the GOG acronym. The platform has built its reputation on being DRM-free and providing access to classic titles that run on modern systems.

The acquisition price of PLN 90.7 million ($25 million) represents a significant transaction in the digital distribution space. Documents show the deal was fully financed through committed funding secured at the sale's closing.

Key aspects of the transaction include:

• 100% share acquisition by Kiciński
• No sale of Kiciński's CD Projekt shares
• Independent operation of GOG post-acquisition
• Continued DRM-free philosophy

The acquisition allows GOG to maintain its unique position in the market while operating under new ownership that understands its mission.

According to regulatory announcements posted on the CD Projekt website, "the sale of shares in GOG is consistent with the CD PROJEKT Group growth strategy, which assumes focusing on the core business of the Company, i.e., developing and publishing video games and related projects based on the owned and new franchises."

The company described the transaction as a "competitive sale process," implying that Kiciński may not have been the only bidder. This suggests strong interest in the GOG platform despite the specialized nature of its business model.

For CD Projekt, the sale represents a strategic pivot toward:

• Core game development activities
• Publishing operations
• Franchise management
• Related video game projects

The distribution agreement signed after the sale ensures that CD Projekt Red games will continue to be listed on GOG, maintaining the relationship between the two entities.

GOG will continue to operate independently under its new owner, with Kiciński taking a hands-on role in its management. The platform's DRM-free philosophy remains unchanged, and its work to keep classic titles playable on modern PCs will continue.

While Kiciński will be actively involved with GOG, his current relationship with CD Projekt is less clear. He remains a significant shareholder but is not listed on the company's Management board or its Supervisory board.

The acquisition structure includes:

• Independent operation of GOG
• Continued distribution of CD Projekt Red titles
• Maintenance of DRM-free standards
• Focus on classic game preservation

This arrangement allows GOG to maintain its identity while benefiting from the expertise of its new owner, who co-founded the company that originally launched the platform.

The acquisition of GOG by its co-founder represents a significant shift in the digital distribution landscape. The platform's commitment to DRM-free gaming has distinguished it from competitors like Steam and Epic Games Store.

Key implications of the transaction include:

• Continued independence of the GOG platform
• Preservation of its unique business model
• Maintained relationship with CD Projekt Red
• Potential for renewed growth under focused ownership

The PLN 90.7 million valuation reflects the platform's established position in the market for classic and DRM-free games. The competitive sale process suggests that multiple parties recognized the value in GOG's specialized niche.

For consumers, the acquisition means GOG will continue its mission of making classic games accessible while maintaining the user-friendly experience that has defined the platform since its inception.