Zug zug! Blizzard’s recent decision to remaster the original two Warcraft strategy games means it’s pulling the non-remastered versions from GOG (short for Good Old Games) later this month. You’ve got just 10 days to act—work, work!—if you want to snatch them up. And if you do, you can rest assured that the games will continue to be supported even after they become impossible to buy.
In a statement posted to X, GOG took the moment as an opportunity to remind gamers of its “Preservation Program,” which aims to provide players with “a seamless experience and tech support” for included titles, even if they’re delisted or are no longer supported by their original developer. Warcraft I and Warcraft II are now the latest entries in the program’s list of over 100 games, which also includes fellow Blizzard title Diablo.
GOG will continue to update the games
“Although we’ll soon no longer be able to offer these games in our store, anyone who purchased them before they were removed will still enjoy the most compatible, high-quality versions, guaranteed by the GOG Preservation Program,” GOG’s post reads. This includes updates to help the games run on “modern and future systems,” although GOG says it will do its best to ensure the experience is “as close to the original as possible.”
So, don’t expect the storefront to start producing conversion mods or the like, but if a supported game suddenly stops reading your mouse, it’s probable GOG (a subsidiary of CD Projekt, which also owns the studio responsible for the Witcher games) is aware of the issue and is working on it.
GOG’s Preservation Program launched just last month, making Warcraft I and II the first titles to be added to the initial batch of 100 games, and also the first that will continue to receive support even after being delisted. Other supported titles include Myst and Vampire: The Masquerade—Bloodlines, to give you an idea of the type of nerd they’re targeting here (it’s me, I’m nerd).
You can still buy direct from Blizzard, for now
At time of writing, Blizzard still offers the original, non-remastered versions of Warcraft I and II on its own Battle.net website, as well as in a collection with the remastered versions and other Warcraft titles. The company has not yet indicated whether it also plans on delisting the original games from its own storefront.
That said, GOG’s commitment to continued updates as well as the DRM-free nature of its storefront might make it a more attractive buy for some gamers. (And up until the games are no longer available to buy, GOG’s promo code MakeWarcraftLiveForever will also shave $2 off your purchase.)
