The Hilarious Saga of GOG.com’s Embrace of Linux and Its Poke at Windows
Gather ’round, folks, for there’s a fresh chapter in the tale of the digital game bazaar known as GOG.com. The new ruler of this realm, Michał Kiciński—who has just plunked down a cool PLN 90.7 million (that’s $25.2 million for those counting in fancy dollars)—has decided to take a swing at the colossal monster known as Windows. Spoiler alert: Windows isn’t winning any popularity contests in this narrative.
Linux to the Rescue
In an exclusive rendezvous with the fine folks over at PC Gamer, Kiciński and his trusty sidekick, managing director Maciej Gołębiewski, shared their plans for GOG.com’s future. When asked if Linux would bask in more glorious support moving forward—possibly because a growing number of PC gamers are throwing cyber tomatoes at Windows—Gołębiewski responded with a hearty “Yes, we are!” It’s like a dramatic reveal in a telenovela, folks.
He went on to assure everyone that Linux was indeed on their radar, as it clearly holds a special place in the hearts of gamers, especially those who have had enough of the Windows circus. “I can’t reveal all the juicy details,” he said, likely waggling his eyebrows in suspense, “But expect to see us giving Linux a bit more love. We probably could do better on that front.”
The Windows Conundrum
Finally, in a plot twist nobody saw coming, Kiciński dropped the hammer on Windows itself. “It’s such poor-quality software and product,” he declared, sounding just a tad incredulous that Windows has managed to linger on the market like that last cheese puff at a party. “I can’t believe it.”
As if the audience needed more drama, he elaborated on his personal life: “I mostly use a Mac now, but sometimes I have to fix my mum’s and dad’s computers running Windows. It’s like stepping into an episode of a sitcom where nothing goes right. What I witness while doing that makes me totally unshocked that folks are veering away from Windows. Honestly, it’s not winning any awards for an ideal ecosystem.”
SteamOS: The Underdog on the Rise
And speaking of ecosystems, let’s not forget about GOG’s rival, Valve. While Valve is also in the business of selling games for Windows, it has a clandestine weapon in the form of its Linux-based SteamOS, which powers the Steam Deck and, gasp, the highly anticipated Steam Machine. It’s like when you find there’s a secret menu at your favorite fast-food joint—who knew? This secret sauce allows Windows games to run on Linux through a compatibility layer known as Proton. Take that, Windows!
Windows: Still the Popular Kid in School
Despite all the hullabaloo, Windows still reigns supreme as the most popular operating system among PC gamers. According to the latest stats from Steam’s Hardware and Software Survey, a whopping 94.2% of players are still pledging allegiance to Windows, while Linux barely scrapes by with a mere 3.5%. MacOS? Just 2.2%. The numbers are akin to a high school popularity contest, where Windows is prom queen and Linux is awkwardly hovering in the corner, sipping punch.
So, while GOG.com charts a course to woo the Linux community and cast a sideways glance at Windows, it remains to be seen whether this strategy will pay off or end up like the last slice of pizza: either devoured in delight or left uneaten in disappointment. In the meantime, one thing is certain—this game of operating systems is far from over.
