GOG perceives the increasing influence of payment processors on Steam and similar storefronts as a significant threat to game preservation. In a recent discussion, a GOG representative outlined these concerns, providing a wider context to the Steam censorship issue that has drawn much attention recently.

In July 2025, Steam removed hundreds of adult titles from its marketplace, attributing the action solely to demands from payment processors. This decision sparked widespread criticism aimed at both the payment companies and Collective Shout, an Australian advocacy group credited with instigating this campaign against what they termed “sexploitation” games.

GOG’s Stand on Payment Processor Censorship

In an interview with Automaton West, Piotr Gnyp, GOG’s Senior PR, emphasized that the current pressures represent a critical “game preservation issue”, warning that any title taken off the digital shelves could be lost indefinitely. Gnyp noted, “It is particularly worrying when games are potentially vanishing due to external pressure.”

This insight reflects GOG’s fundamental mission to uphold and conserve “good old games,” a principle that predates its branding.

Although recent censorship initiatives have impacted both Steam and Itch.io, GOG has notably resisted such interventions, primarily due to its curated nature. Gnyp stated that GOG chooses titles based on quality and relevance, as well as alignment with its audience’s values. A significant aspect of GOG’s appeal is that it provides DRM-free downloads and offline installers, ensuring that previously acquired games remain accessible, regardless of the company’s future.

Gnyp underscored that both GOG and Steam operate under the constraints of certain national laws. However, he clarified that these regulations are not the primary driving forces behind the present de-listing wave.

Several anti-censorship petitions have emerged as a response to these recent Steam delistings. Despite the uproar, none of the removed titles have returned to Valve’s platform by mid-September 2025, leaving many items unavailable for customers. Gnyp remarked that such removals, while unusual, are ‘impossible to avoid completely.’