Good Old Games (GOG.com) has introduced a promising initiative known as the GOG Preservation Program, aimed at keeping classic PC games playable long after official support has ended. This initiative currently includes around 100 games, with titles like the original Diablo and its Hellfire expansion, the first three Resident Evil games, Wing Commander III, Ultima VII, and the original Fallout, among others. These titles are now branded as “Good Old Games” on GOG’s platform, spotlighting their importance within the catalog and securing their place in gaming history.
As technology progresses, maintaining access to classic games is becoming increasingly challenging. Compatibility issues, outdated code, and shifts in the PC gaming industry can all make it difficult to keep these beloved games running on modern systems. GOG’s Preservation Program is a response to this issue, ensuring that these games remain functional even as software and operating systems continue to evolve. While the program doesn’t introduce new features to these games, it does guarantee playability on up-to-date systems. According to GOG, this effort keeps classic titles “playable on modern systems, even after their developers stopped supporting them.” By retaining these nostalgic experiences, GOG hopes to let players relive cherished memories without the limitations of digital rights management (DRM) and provides ongoing tech support to assist with any issues.
This initiative isn’t an entirely new concept for GOG; the platform has been working on improving classic games for years. For example, Wing Commander III had a compatibility issue with the German version that GOG resolved as far back as 2016. Over time, GOG added cloud saves, ensured compatibility with Windows 10 and 11, and adjusted the DOSBox emulator to enhance performance on modern hardware. Games like SimCity 2000 received similar treatment, while console-to-PC ports like Resident Evil have been refined to preserve the original experience. These efforts show GOG’s commitment to addressing the technical challenges associated with keeping classic games alive.
While GOG hasn’t revealed whether the program will expand, this dedication to maintaining iconic games is a commendable move that brings attention to the importance of preserving digital entertainment history. By making these titles available and playable, GOG helps gamers reconnect with experiences that defined earlier eras of PC gaming, providing access for both veteran fans and a new generation eager to explore these foundational games.
