I just wrote a tiny little cute #GOG News Post this week.
I find sometimes GOG can miss out, or be covered less, sometimes even a bit forgotten. So I found some interesting bits and pieces to write about this time around.
As always, posted on #Lemmy purely because it is the #opensource equivalent of something like Reddit (boo, hiss)
I hope you enjoy it, even if its only little!
lemmy.worldGOG News for Gaming/Linux/Steam Deck - Lemmy.WorldI thought a dedicated GOG News post might be a nice change-of-pace. I’m not sure
how much I can find or cover here, that hasn’t already been shared in any
case…but I do love GOG, and I feel they get a little less publicity or cover
than the obvious alternative of Steam…so here we go :)
---------------------------------------------------------- # GOG’s Gaming News:
---------------------------------------------------------- # Authenticator:
[https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/3f0223d0-e431-40fc-a654-153fed37e77f.jpeg] GOG
(finally) announced that you can now use authenticator apps to keep your GOG
account secure. Prior to this their account security was maintained with a
log-on code being sent to your email, but now you can use an app of your choice
to increase the security. Authenticator apps are inherently more secure
(depending on the app you choose!) When its enabled, and you log in to GOG,
after entering your password, the site asks for a verification code as well. *
The authenticator app (like Bitwarden Authenticator for example
[https://bitwarden.com/products/authenticator/]) generates a time based one time
password (known as a TOTP) - usually a 6-digit code that changes every 30
seconds or so * You enter that code to complete the login! GOG stated
themselves: > To provide you with better security for your accounts, we’ve
introduced a new 2FA (Time-based One-Time Password) login method for your
accounts. You can use it with popular authentication apps of your choice, like
Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, or others. Aside from not loving
Google and MS being their examples (although I can see why they are used – the
most popular are just so for a reason), this is only good news. You can read all
about the reception of this news on their forum post here with this link
[https://www.gog.com/forum/general/you_can_now_use_authenticator_apps_to_keep_your_gog_account_secure_582bd/page1]
– and marvel at how some people can be annoyed and try argue that email is safer
or that you can’t these apps (like this comment I spotted): > There are no
companies I trust. Trust doesn’t come for free. I only trust people, and only
those who have earned it. And…now go and do this, because it is safer for your
account and lovely GOG DRM-free library :)
------------------------------------------- # GOG’s Hammer:
[https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/b22413f7-770f-42b3-8b9d-134d2a405d7d.jpeg] GOG
is celebrating Warhammer Skulls 2025
[https://www.gog.com/promo/warhammer_skulls_2025?source=news] with major
discounts and a key update to its (rather amazing) Preservation Program. Five
classic Warhammer games are now preserved and exclusive to GOG: * Warhammer
40,000: Chaos Gate [https://www.gog.com/game/warhammer_40000_chaos_gate] * Final
Liberation: Warhammer Epic 40,000
[https://www.gog.com/game/final_liberation_warhammer_epic_40000?source=news] *
Warhammer 40,000: Rites of War
[https://www.gog.com/en/game/warhammer_40000_rites_of_war] (also, to note, this
one is free to claim and keep forever from GOG right now! Follow the link!) *
Warhammer: Shadow of the Horned Rat
[https://www.gog.com/game/warhammer_shadow_of_the_horned_rat?source=news]
*Warhammer 40,000: Fire Warrior
[https://www.gog.com/game/warhammer_40000_fire_warrior?source=news] In addition,
Sanctus Reach and Armageddon are now GOG exclusives, after being delisted
elsewhere! More Warhammer titles are also coming soon to the platform,
including: * Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader – Lex Imperialis
[https://www.gog.com/game/warhammer_40000_rogue_trader_lex_imperialis] *
Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy
[https://www.gog.com/game/warhammer_40000_dark_heresy?source=news] * Dawn of War
– Definitive Edition
[https://www.gog.com/game/warhammer_40000_dawn_of_war_definitive_edition?source=news]
* Space Marine – Master Crafted Edition
[https://www.gog.com/game/warhammer_40000_space_marine_master_crafted_edition?source=news]
This campaign on GOG right now celebrates Warhammer’s impact across genres and
media, and makes you take note of the importance of preserving its legacy. As
GOG themselves said: > Warhammer is a universe so vast it spills across genres
and generations – from grimdark sci-fi to high fantasy, from tabletop to
tactics, from single-player campaigns to skirmish-scale gems. It has shaped
player identities, inspired modders, spawned books, art, animation, and
unparalleled lore. It’s not just a franchise. It’s a world that gives meaning.
And it deserves to be preserved.
[https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/705375e6-3586-490f-8457-404633bea32f.gif] You
can watch GOG’s own announcement on YouTube with this link - detailing
everything in a far more fun than my bare-facts-typed-out-manner here!
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=br_EUmmrhl4]
------------------------------------------- # Space Marine: Master Craft:
[https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/958f467d-35f7-40e0-b4d4-248196830832.gif] The
upcoming remaster to 2011’s Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine is not so far off,
arriving on June 11th, and is a welcome change I think. I’ve tried a few times
to play and enjoy it (you might have even claimed it for free in December last
year, alongside The Outer Worlds and Baldur’s Gate II: Enhanced Ed.), but it
does feel its old age. I’ll straight up copy the announcement because there’s no
reason for me to prattle on with nonsense when the announcement is the news:
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine returns. Enhanced for a new generation! Enjoy
quality of life & graphical improvements that take the Warhammer 40,000: Space
Marine experience to the next level.
[https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/484ec04d-3a73-4876-8015-908f2767e5af.png]
Improvements: Higher fidelity & improved textures 4k Resolution Improved
character models Modernised control scheme + interface overhaul Remastered audio
Step into the armor of a relentless Space Marine and use a combination of lethal
weaponry to crush overwhelming Ork forces. Immerse yourself in an intense and
brutally violent world based on the richest science fantasy ever created. In
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine you are captain Titus, a Space Marine of the
Ultramarines chapter and a seasoned veteran of countless battles. A
millions-strong Ork horde has invaded an Imperial forge world, one of the
planet-sized factories where the war machines for humanity’s never-ending battle
for survival are created. Losing this planet is not an option, but a darker and
far more evil threat is lurking large in the shadows of this world. With an
Imperial liberation fleet en-route, the Ultramarines are sent in to hold key
locations until reinforcements arrive. Captain Titus and a squad of Ultramarine
veterans use bolters and chainswords to take the fight to the enemies of
mankind. Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine – Master Crafted Edition includes the
original Space Marine game & all DLC: • Chaos Unleashed Map Pack • Dreadnought
Assault DLC • Iron Hand Veteran Chapter Pack DLC • Death Guard Champion Chapter
Pack DLC • Golden Relic Bolter • Golden Relic Chainsword • Power Sword • Blood
Angels Veteran Armour Set • Salamanders Veteran Armour Set • Alpha Legion
Champion Armour Set • Legion of the Damned Armour Set • Emperor’s Elite Pack •
Traitor Legions Pack STORM INTO BATTLE Step fearlessly into the heart of combat
as an unstoppable Space Marine. Never hide, never cower, just purge all that
stand in your way. UNLEASH VISIBLE VIOLENT DEATH Using an innovative combat
system, switch seamlessly from high-caliber ranged weapons to devastating
close-combat strikes. Taking out an enemy has never been so satisfying.
EXPERIENCE THE GRIM DARKNESS OF WARHAMMER 40,000 Jump into a rich universe of
awe-inspiring landscapes, deadly enemies, immense battles and ruthless
annihilation. TAKE THE BATTLE ONLINE Form your own Space Marine squad or Chaos
Space Marine warband and face off in 8 vs 8 online matches. Gain experience and
unlock new weapons and armor to customize the devastator, assault, and tactical
marine classes. Supports Cross-Play functionality
[https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/f180b81f-3665-4e12-8ba0-74dcf8245d2b.png] The
link for the trailer on YouTube is here
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YxYLWIJfP8] And…lastly, it is also going to be
on Game Pass – day one!!! ------------------------------------------- #
Preservation Program?
[https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/608d25f1-4b11-4bf7-bdb5-af2bd5d422a4.jpeg] I
just read this and noticed that you mentioned the GOG Preservation Program…what
is it?! I’m so glad you asked! If you’re not aware, as a part of their 16th
anniversary GOG expanded their mission with a new ‘Preservation Program’. The
program aims to keep classic PC games, which includes games like System Shock 2,
Diablo, and Myst, compatible with modern operating systems like Windows 10 and
11. [https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/d704fa64-0c38-4e43-8a68-84225741e0ef.png]
GOG commits its own resources to update and maintain these games, even if the
original developers are no longer involved. Their initiative (which has a lovely
icon I’ll attach below) includes bug fixes and quality-tested builds, going
beyond basic compatibility. This effort highlights the importance of preserving
gaming history, especially since 87% of games made before 2010 are now
considered inaccessible, according to the Video Game History Foundation. GOG
continues to offer these games DRM-free, with dedicated tech support!!!
------------------------------------------- # Lino – Library Manager: I did
cover what Lino is a couple of News Posts ago, but we’re close to when the dev
has been promising their initial release to be – the end of this month, a few
days from this being posted (another dev of a another project tells me it is two
days time from writing this!. Though I doubt this date will happen (maybe I’ll
be surprsied!), it’s nice to see the dev is close to it. But what is Lino, for
us who never saw your initial post?! Lino is a fan-made, custom-built game
launcher created by an individual developer to better suit their personal needs
than existing options like Playnite or GOG Galaxy. It’s designed to offer a
clean, customizable UI and features not typically found in mainstream launchers,
including: * Cloud storage awareness (showing whether a game is stored locally
or offloaded to the cloud) * Portable mode and syncable database for use across
devices (e.g., PC and handheld) * Game tracking and stats overview * Built-in
cloud save backups * Integrated screenshot viewer * Emulator support * Native
“How Long to Beat” integration Initially prototyped in PowerShell, the launcher
is now built using Electron and React. The developer plans to release a free
version with core features and a paid version with full functionality, including
custom themes, as a one-time purchase without DRM (ew) Where can I find more on
it? You can follow this link to their Discord! [https://discord.gg/gbPgbtV8]
------------------------------------------- # GOG’s Forum:
[https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/616356d7-3dc6-46ce-892f-8d91f738ef55.jpeg]
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, do not forget that GOG host their
own discussion forum!!! They have topics for everything, including game-specific
forums, all the way to general discussions. I think in a world where we’re used
to the instant gratification of social media, we forget that places like forums
can be a better space to chat. After all, Lemmy is based on the principles of
forums! My fav of the entire forum is (I know I am a broken record) the
Unofficial DVD Covers for GOG.COM games thread
[https://www.gog.com/forum/general/unofficial_dvd_covers_for_gog_com_games] It
does exactly what it says it will, and is a collection of community made
physical covers for people’s games! The art, artistry, design and passion in
there just makes me so damned happy, and every time I am on here I go straight
to etsy to find a seller who offers UV Printing services and have the cunning
plan to get one done on a steelbook cover for myself. Here’s a few of the latest
page, just because I love sharing these:
[https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/bcc44005-f98d-4ee7-8d99-59132f99d7c9.png]
[https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/4990c56d-cbc0-4627-a538-9cdb259d12c0.png]
------------------------------------------- # White Logos:
[https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/7ff0a8cb-6f55-4c1c-8ba9-0b44a0b81003.png] This
one’s a bit strange, but I’ve come across it so many times that it must be a
thing? Just a week or two back I saw someone on a few places offering money for
custom game icons with white, centered text. Maybe if he’d seen the following
which was made entirely for GOG Galaxy 2.0, he wouldn’t have had to pay for the
effort: > I’ve been slowly working my way through my library creating more
cohesive tile images and this is what I’ve done so far (Google Drive
[https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1mTI6VqvHKwWfyg3hUdhCg1nM0NhlXzLX?usp=sharing]).
I’m still making my way through so plenty more will be added. If you have any
requests, let me know. I’ve also included a template should anyone wish to do
their own! Cheers. I’ve taken a few examples to share here, just in case you’re
curious:
[https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/ac949713-c2b2-4003-bc72-95fee3715293.png]
[https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/761541de-50da-4bcf-b0e5-c033174cf5ba.png]
[https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/feb8b7d1-b201-4e5b-bf61-6bbed472f749.png] So,
if you’re using, well, not just GOG Galaxy (because honestly who would?!) but
any game collection front end, and you’re a fan of uniform white font? This
one’s for you! ------------------------------------------- # Heroic Games
Launcher:
[https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/eada07ce-eb69-4004-9047-0641120c9bea.png] HGL
has released 2.17.0 – Franky build. In their own words (if you didn’t already
know): Heroic is a Free and Open Source Epic, GOG and Amazon Prime Games
launcher for Linux, Windows and macOS. Also available on the SteamDeck!
The new build has been shared, and is ready for updating on your Steam Deck,
or…wherever you game (since it works everywhere!) > A new Heroic release is out
and it contains several new and amazing features, new designs and a lot of
fixes! * New GamePage Design * [macOS] Add Button to automate Windows Steam
installation * Adds a setting to download Proton versions directly to the Steam
compatibility folder * It is now possible to select an image file on the
sideload dialog * Update electron to latest version v36.2.1 * Fixes Issues with
Epic Login and Checkout * Several fixes for UMU, DXVK and GPTK * Fixes
HowLongToBeat not working anymore * Update Legendary and added a
EpicGamesLauncher.exe to fix issues with Rockstar games * Fixed an issue with
RemotePlay not working with Steam * Several refactors and improvements Just a
couple of screenshots here:
[https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/226ad921-4258-4d83-a13d-56e2dd41b6a9.png]
[https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/c3eb2a06-d2b7-420e-a4f6-24c9ec064d48.png]
------------------------------------------- # The Game That Caught My Eye:
[https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/84768125-3031-458a-8b25-5666eb7d8a69.jpeg] I
know, I’m not unique in this discovery, but I saw that JDM: Japanese Drift
Master has released on GOG (and…I guess everywhere else, too) and while it looks
amazing, it definitely needs some work. It’s been on my wishlist for so long
now, and one I’ve actually been excited for. I’ve a pretty big love for
driving/racing games. My top three of recent times has been: * Drive: Rally
[https://www.gog.com/game/drive_rally] * Art of Rally
[https://www.gog.com/game/art_of_rally] * Old School Rally
[https://store.steampowered.com/app/2824660/Old_School_Rally/] (sadly no GOG
release yet!) …so I guess you can tell I love rally racing. ANYWAY JDM: Japanese
Drift Master - the GOG page is here in this link
[https://www.gog.com/en/game/japanese_drift_master] - has released:
[https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/34f64b52-d5eb-4bbc-bce6-1a604deaf789.png] *
Works on Linux * Music is incredible - music is a huge part of racing games for
me, and one of my fav parts of Forza and even GTA V (I just spent my time
driving and enjoying the modded world), and they nailed it * The manga art style
they use in it is fun, and not something you see elsewhere, it’s not
specifically doing much, but it is a nice touch * Definitely needs patches,
there’s some room to grow here and it feels pretty unfinished. It’s like an
Early Access game without actually being an Early Access game.
[https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/485c4eaa-20d6-4d2d-a34e-dce9cc07a429.png]
[https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/00332c1d-f5e5-45fc-85ca-0cd596ee7fca.png] This
is the like to their YouTube video of a trailer for the game, so you can see it
in motion [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iebhqKtmcg] I’d maybe recommend it
on steep sale, or I’d strongly recommend it after a LOT of patches and content
has been fixed. For now if you just like stylish racer which you can feel a
pretty drive experience in, then go for it, but for performance and content? Not
yet for me. I’ll go back to Art of Rally for now!
------------------------------------------- # Prime/Free: Don’t forget if you
have an Amazon Prime account, you can use the Prime Gaming benefits of free GOG,
Epic Games and Amazon (also Xbox, this month!) titles for free, to keep forever.
And if you don’t have a subscription (well done!) you can just sign up for a
free trial, then cancel it and keep the titles regardless. Unethical perhaps,
but effective.
[https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/716c5e9d-2a4d-4327-8758-e2c1c2cfe8f3.webp]
While we’ve had a ton of games already this month, this last week’s (one or two
days ago) included: * Mail Time (GOG) * FATE (GOG) * Thief 2: The Metal Age
(GOG) * Everdream Valley (Amazon) * Chessarama (Epic Games) * The Lost Ashford
Ring (Legacy Games Code - in fact if you want this, leave a comment and I’ll
give it to you, I’ve never redeemed a Legacy title!) …and next week (claimable
from the 29th of May) are the following titles: * Samurai Bringer (Amazon) *
Trinity Fusion ( Amazon I LOVE THIS GAME!) * Masterplan Tycoon (Amazon) *
Liberté (Epic Games) You can read the full list of claimable games for the whole
month here via Medium, and also see more on the service etc
[https://primegaming.blog/prime-gaming-may-content-update-star-wars-galactic-battlegrounds-saga-lego-star-wars-the-e1b09ab88a29]
------------------------------------------- # Quickfire GOG release: Just some
dot-points so you can see what games have been released in the last week or so,
and what is coming soon: * Vambrace: Dungeon Monarch (with extras) * JDM:
Japanese Drive Master * dotAGE Extended Ed. (with DLC and OST) * The Siege and
Sandbox * Kathy Rain 2: Soothsayer (with extras) * Knights in Tight Spaces (with
extras) * Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo (with soundtrack) …and coming soon: *
Songs of Conquest - Roots ------------------------------------------- # What I
use to Play: ------------------------------------------- As ever, when I write
something GOG-specific, I get people asking what I use (and sometimes why) to
play GOG games, on desktop and more commonly on my Steam Deck. I recommend two
methods, because I use both, but trust me…I know there’s a ton of options
available for us. I use Heroic Games Launcher for my desktop PC, and on my Steam
Deck. It plays Epic, GOG and Amazon games (and there are plans coming in the
future for EA via Maxima) https://heroicgameslauncher.com/
[https://heroicgameslauncher.com/] I also use Junk Store, which has support
(currently) for Epic Games for free, and GOG with an add-on which is a one-time
payment to the devs. Junk Store is very close to a new version however, where
far more than just these two are supported, all from Game Mode with minimum
effort. https://github.com/ebenbruyns/junkstore
[https://github.com/ebenbruyns/junkstore] The vast bulk of my gaming library is
on GOG. I’m recently appreciating Steam though, and I’m going to start looking
at more games on there, I have pitifully few - though I have been enjoying an
old game called Enslaved: Odyssey of the West on there. Aside from a couple of
issues (I downloaded higher texture video files from Nexus for example because
the default is woefully old and poor) it’s really fun! Its such a beautiful
game, and written/designed in part by Alex Garland (who wrote my most fav novel
in the world - The Beach!) I’d definitely recommend it:
[https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/4024b601-0f1d-46dd-8e02-014b20cd5a6c.jpeg]
------------------------------------------- # That’s That!
------------------------------------------- This one’s a very small news post,
I’ve got a lot on my plate, but next time will be more wide-ranging and all
encompassing where I can share all kinds of gaming news. I do hope some may
enjoy these few items regardless this time, though!
