Recently, Blizzard Entertainment took the bold step of delisting the original _Warcraft_ games, coinciding with the launch of _Warcraft I_ and _II_ Remastered. This move, heralded as part of the franchise's 30th anniversary festivities, has stirred both excitement and disappointment within the gaming community.
The remastered versions of these iconic real-time strategy (RTS) games showcase updated visuals and improved gameplay, but this upgrade has come at the cost of accessibility to the classic titles. Blizzard's decision means the original versions of _Warcraft I_ and _II_ will be pulled from digital storefronts like GOG on December 13.
Yet, the good news lies with GOG, also known as Good Old Games, which has promised to preserve the original games for current and future generations of players. A division of CD Projekt Red, GOG is dedicated to game preservation, ensuring old classics remain available and compatible with modern systems.
Thanks to GOG’s initiatives, both _Warcraft_ games will not be completely erased from history. The platform has introduced its Preservation Program, which aims to keep classic games alive, starting with the recently delisted titles. GOG assures players who already own these originals will continue to enjoy them without interruption.
With this preservation effort, GOG enhances _Warcraft I_ and _II_ with features like multiplayer LAN support, antialiasing, and anisotropic filtering. This means players can look forward to improved graphics and functionality when they fire up these beloved classics from their libraries.
At their request, Blizzard will officially remove the games from sale, but they will “live on” through GOG’s dedicated commitment. Players can still purchase the games until the delisting date and use the 'MakeWarcraftLiveForever' discount code to grab these DRM-free versions.
“At GOG, we believe games should live forever,” the team stated. They highlighted their mission not only to safeguard these titles but to guarantee they remain accessible and optimizable for modern hardware.
A significant part of GOG's strategy toward preservation revolves around maintaining compatibility with any potential changes to operating systems like Windows. This ensures titles remain playable even if they vanish from sale
“Once a game joins the Program, we pledge to maintain its compatibility even if it gets delisted from the store,” GOG explained. “Owners of those titles can still expect seamless experiences and tech support for those titles.” This long-term vision reassures users about their investments.
Despite the bittersweet nature of this transition, GOG expressed gratitude toward Blizzard for the collaboration on this project. They remain committed to supporting other developers to honor gaming history by adding more titles to the Preservation Program, with plans to encompass hundreds of games by the end of 2025.
With the gaming industry continuously innovated, GOG's pledge to maintain gaming history is vitally important. Many fans and players grew up with the original _Warcraft_ games, which have become part of gaming folklore over the years. The preservation of gaming nostalgia allows new generations to appreciate the roots of amazing franchises.
Consequently, veteran gamers and newcomers alike can keep the spirit of _Warcraft_ alive, alongside its rich history of storytelling and strategy. GOG's efforts will mean the original games will not fade away, allowing them to thrive on through the digital age.
While the delisting might feel like a loss initially, GOG's commitment provides solace, ensuring these original gems of gaming history remain accessible. The move is not only about the future of new releases but recognizing the legacy of classic games. Players can look back on their cherished memories and push forward their passion for the series.
At the end of the day, it’s about sustaining the love for beloved gaming franchises and ensuring they remain available for years to come.