In a bold move to ensure the longevity of classic games, GOG has announced its commitment to preserving Warcraft: Orcs & Humans and Warcraft II despite Blizzard’s surprising and UNFORTUNATE decision to delist them from its storefront.

This decision comes just a month after Blizzard released remastered versions of these iconic games on its Battle.net marketplace.

Starting December 13, 2024, the original Warcraft games will no longer be available for purchase on GOG. However, GOG has reassured its customers that the games will remain accessible to those who have already purchased them.

This is part of GOG’s newly launched Preservation Program, which aims to keep classic games compatible with modern systems indefinitely.

We’re incredibly proud of the work we’ve done on Warcraft I and Warcraft II, bringing them back to life after decades of unavailability.

Through our efforts, we’ve introduced several new features to both titles, including multiplayer support over LAN and enhanced graphical options like antialiasing and anisotropic filtering.

-GOG via their official blog.

The company has introduced several enhancements to the games, including multiplayer support over LAN and improved graphical options like antialiasing and anisotropic filtering.

GOG’s Preservation Program ensures that even if a game is delisted, it will continue to receive updates and tech support to maintain compatibility with future systems. This means that fans of the original Warcraft games can rest easy knowing they will still be able to enjoy these classics without any issues.

We want to reveal a new feature to our recently announced Preservation Program. Once a game joins the Program, we pledge to maintain its compatibility even if it gets delisted from the store.

This means that owners of those titles can still expect a seamless experience and tech support for those titles. This also considers potential changes in Windows OS that may impact games’ playability.

For those who haven’t yet snagged the Warcraft I & II Bundle, GOG is offering a discount code MakeWarcraftLiveForever to knock $2 off the regular price of $14.99. This is a fantastic opportunity to own these timeless classics DRM-free and ensure they remain playable for years to come.

I want to personally add that this move by Blizzard Entertainment is as anti-consumer AF as it gets. It’s emblematic of the entire Activision Blizzard mindset where profit is prioritized over genuine gaming experiences and preservation efforts. It’s frustrating to see companies deploying tactics like “compromised” FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) as a convenient marketing ploy rather than addressing the needs and concerns of the gaming community.

This begs the question: why are gamers increasingly skeptical about remasters and remakes? It’s because these efforts often come at the expense of the original versions, eroding the authentic experiences that the gaming community cherishes. Companies should realize that preserving the source material while introducing new versions shows respect for the legacy of these games and the loyalty of their players.

From my part… I was looking for the physical version as part of my retro gaming spending for next year, but if my discount purchase allows me to both contribute and spite Blizzard at the same time, I’m all game!