from the accidentally-turned-users-into-soylent dept.
SegmentNext reports:
The online sale and distribution service of PC games, GOG Ltd. accidentally gave away a whole bunch of Linux games to its users.
The company recently introduced support for Linux platforms by adding well over 50 Linux-compatible games to its online store. However, things didn't go as planned and during their Linux Launch Promotion, more than 20 games appeared in a number of users' accounts.
These users realized that they weren't eligible for any freebies and took the matter to GOG.com community forums.
The site's support representative, JuriJ admitted that there was a glitch at their end which offered them these free games. However, he also added that those who got their hands on these free games do not have to return them. As for those users who would like to return the games, should contact him via email.
Here's the complete reply as found on GOG.com:
Thank you for your honesty. Yesterday, due to a small glitch on our end, you and a bunch of other lucky people ended up getting games from the Linux Launch promo for free. Don't worry, though, as it's totally cool with us and you may keep them. Yes, we will not be removing these titles from your account and we do hope you will enjoy them!
Of course, if you prefer, like some of our community members, we can always remove them your shelf - just let us know replying to this email. Again, there's no problem if you want to keep them.
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GamingonLinux announces that GOG.com (Good Old Games) is now officially supporting Linux. They have announced a big sale of Linux games, including many newly-announced for the platform. I've picked up Pirates! Gold and DukeNukem3d myself.
A frequently-cited reason for people holding on to Windows is the lack of games for Linux. With Steam and now GOG both supporting Linux, how close are we to "the year of Linux on the Desktop"? What, if anything, is holding you back?
(Score: 4, Funny) by nukkel on Wednesday July 30 2014, @05:26AM
How very un-American of them.
(Score: 3, Informative) by Ryuugami on Wednesday July 30 2014, @09:03AM
Luckily, they're not an American company!
(They're Polish.)
If a shit storm's on the horizon, it's good to know far enough ahead you can at least bring along an umbrella. - D.Weber
(Score: 3, Funny) by c0lo on Wednesday July 30 2014, @05:33AM
What happens to the world we are living in? Does it return to a normal, common-sensical status? Can this be happening, if only as an accident?
Does the heat in hell have fluctuations?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford
(Score: 3, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday July 30 2014, @06:08AM
Or... it is just a cleverly manufactured marketing ploy.
(Score: 4, Insightful) by Ryuugami on Wednesday July 30 2014, @08:56AM
Whoever manages to legally make money by stripping out DRM is a hero in my book.
Ergo, I'm willing to give GOG the benefit of the doubt :)
If a shit storm's on the horizon, it's good to know far enough ahead you can at least bring along an umbrella. - D.Weber
(Score: 3, Informative) by GeminiDomino on Wednesday July 30 2014, @01:01PM
It might be, but I don't think so. GoG has had similar snafus in the past (the free Torchlight promo is the one coming to mind ATM) and has consistently chosen to eat the loss.
"We've been attacked by the intelligent, educated segment of our culture"
(Score: 2) by cykros on Wednesday July 30 2014, @05:03PM
One man's loss is another's advertising dollars well spent.
(Score: 1) by gidds on Wednesday July 30 2014, @01:22PM
So?
As per the obligatory xkcd cartoon [xkcd.com], if it makes the company act in a civilised, responsible, even altruistic way, then who cares whether it's for reasons of genuine morality or just marketing? Either way: Mission accomplished!
[sig redacted]
(Score: 2) by CoolHand on Wednesday July 30 2014, @11:40AM
Hey! I signed up during the Linux launch and didn't get free games! I want my free games!!! Where's my lawyer?!!
Anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job-Douglas Adams
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday July 30 2014, @05:53PM
Here [thepiratebay.se].
(Score: 2) by Rivenaleem on Wednesday July 30 2014, @12:44PM
Fucking socialists, socialists everywhere!
(Score: 2) by el_oscuro on Wednesday July 30 2014, @10:13PM
And to continue the pink unicorn story, these are games for Linux.
SoylentNews is Bacon! [nueskes.com]
(Score: 2, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday July 30 2014, @06:32AM
This is what you get when the product have zero marginal cost, it actually cost them more to remove the games from the affected accounts than to let the lucky ones keep the games.
What's more, they don't have someone from the bureaucracy to insist on "fixing" it because it might cause someone else look bad.
(Score: 2) by VLM on Wednesday July 30 2014, @11:43AM
Even if it cost money, every time I hear anything about GoG its that they're good reasonable people to do business with.
They are my preferred supplier for anything I can get from them, and this is just example one zillion why.
There's a moral for other digital distributors, assuming people know about you, if you're nice guys you'll get a huge multiple of the revenue that DRM jerks get.
(Score: 2) by jcross on Wednesday July 30 2014, @01:04PM
Hey, maybe they even did it on purpose... After all, if it got them into the news twice in a week at zero marginal cost, that's a pretty sweet deal.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday July 30 2014, @03:27PM
I can see getting known as the company that occasionally "messes up" and gives you free games could be a pretty effective marketing ploy.
It is also one that I am ok with.
(Score: -1, Flamebait) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday July 30 2014, @12:17PM
Er Meh Gerd!!! Free Gamesh!!!
(Score: 2, Interesting) by Freeman on Wednesday July 30 2014, @05:59PM
This is why I love GoG so much. They act like rational human beings that don't support the DMCA Mafia. I have re-purchased a bunch of stuff so I could have a copy that didn't require a CD or some messed over DRM.
Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee"