Warcraft: GOG will soon lose two classics – but still promises updates
In mid-November, GOG announced that it would keep 100 classic games playable. Two of them can only be purchased for a few more days, but the promise remains.
(Image: GOG)
One month after Blizzard released new editions of the classic strategy games "Warcraft" and "Warcraft 2", GOG has to remove the originals from its own store. The games platform announced this a few days ago, but combined it with an unusual promise: Anyone who buys the titles before they are removed from the store on December 13, 2024, GOG promises continuous updates and maintenance in the future to ensure that both titles work on modern and future computers.
Update promise for classic games
For GOG, this is the first realization of a promise made in mid-November. At that time, the platform stated that over 100 classic games would be kept compatible with modern systems as part of the Preservation Program for retro games. This was primarily intended as an update promise for classic games that are no longer necessarily updated to the latest technical standards by their publishers. In the case of "Warcraft" and "Warcraft 2", however, it is now given for games that the publisher takes out of the market in favor of new editions.
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Blizzard has replaced the original, low-resolution sprites of the classics with new versions for the remaster collection, which was also presented in mid-November. Blizzard has also promised "updated convenience features for a modern gaming experience", without providing any further details. Both are only available directly from Blizzard's own Battle.net store. GOG now reminds us that the originals have been rescued after decades of unavailability, and the versions available for one more week are as close to the original look and feel as possible. Together they cost 14 euros, Blizzard wants 40 euros for the new editions.
(mho)
