If you've ever bought a game on GOG and felt like you were getting a slightly better deal than everyone else, Dave Oshry wants to keep that feeling alive.
The CEO of New Blood Interactive recently made waves when he told RPG Site that he genuinely loves GOG but worried the platform wasn't doing enough to stay relevant. "They need enough people to give a shit, or how long are they even going to be around?" he said, in the kind of blunt honesty you rarely get from anyone in the industry. That comment got enough traction that GOG responded directly on social media, firing back with a rallying cry for game preservation.
Then Oshry did something unexpected. Instead of walking it back, he leaned in harder.
From Concern to Commitment
The original interview raised legitimate questions about whether GOG could survive in Steam's shadow. For years, GOG's pitch of DRM-free, classic games has been complicated by the fact that Steam now hosts many of those same classics. GOG even had a rough patch in 2021, posting a net loss for then-parent company CD Projekt, which pushed the platform to double down on its preservation identity.
Oshry's critique wasn't hostile. It was the kind of thing a genuine supporter says when they're nervous about something they care about. And GOG's response reflected that, acknowledging his honesty while making the case that preservation only works when players actively choose to support it.
What nobody expected was for Oshry to respond by going even further in GOG's direction.
What New Blood Is Actually Doing on GOG
Here's the lowdown on what New Blood Interactive has committed to:
- Day-and-date releases: Upcoming titles Dungeons of Dusk and Tenebrous Somnia will launch on GOG the same day they hit Steam, no delay
- Playable demos: Both games will have demos available on GOG, not just Steam
- Sales parity: New Blood ran its anniversary sale on GOG simultaneously with Steam
- One-click mod support: The Dusk HD remaster is now available on GOG with one-click installation, matching the convenience of Steam Workshop
That last point matters more than it might seem. One of the persistent knocks against GOG has been that the modding experience feels clunkier compared to Steam's integrated Workshop. Bringing Dusk HD to GOG with the same frictionless install flow is a direct answer to that criticism.
danger
New Blood's commitment to GOG parity, including mods, demos, and simultaneous launches, sets a template other indie publishers could follow if they want to genuinely support the platform rather than just tokenize it.
Dusk HD mod install on GOG
Why This Moment Matters for GOG's Future
GOG is in a genuinely interesting position right now. The platform recently became independent from CD Projekt, now led by co-founder Michal Kicinski, and has been making moves toward a more sustainable future, including a patrons program for users who want to directly fund preservation work.
The key here is that publisher behavior shapes platform health more than almost anything else. When a vocal, respected indie publisher like New Blood signals that GOG is worth treating as a first-class storefront rather than an afterthought, it sends a message to other developers watching from the sidelines.
For players, the practical upside is straightforward. GOG's DRM-free model means your games are actually yours. No client required, no license that could disappear if a storefront shuts down. You can download directly from the website and own the files outright, which still feels like a minor miracle in the current landscape.
For the full breakdown of New Blood's GOG commitments and what prompted them, PC Gamer has the complete picture. GOG is also running a Spring Sale right now if you want to put your money where your values are. Dusk is currently listed at seven dollars, which is a genuinely good deal for one of the best boomer shooters of the past decade. Keep an eye on the latest gaming news as the GOG independence story continues to develop. Make sure to check out more:
