In an unexpected turn of events, the digital game retailer GOG has declared the impending removal of two notable titles from its catalog: the prehistoric survival game 'Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey' and the acclaimed sci-fi RPG 'The Outer Worlds.' Gamers have until December 15th to acquire these games, with 'Ancestors' currently offered at a significant 80% discount. This development has sparked discussions among the gaming community regarding the implications of such delistings on digital ownership and game preservation.
The announcement came via a post on the GOG forums by user king_kunat, stating the removal of both games and their associated editions and add-ons. A representative from GOG later confirmed this information with PC Gamer, expressing a desire to potentially reintroduce the games in the future, though the certainty of their return remains unclear. This situation highlights the volatile nature of digital storefronts and the challenges developers and publishers face in managing their game portfolios across various platforms.
The primary catalyst for this delisting appears to be the recent corporate restructuring involving Private Division, the original publisher of both games. Take-Two Interactive, Private Division's former parent company, divested the publishing label in 2024. Subsequently, Private Division was acquired by Haveli Investments and has since been rebranded as Fictions, with new leadership comprising former Annapurna Interactive employees. This change in corporate structure likely necessitates a re-evaluation of publishing agreements and digital distribution rights, leading to the temporary removal of these titles from GOG's platform.
While the exact reasons for the delisting remain unconfirmed, many speculate that it is a procedural matter related to the change in publisher ownership rather than a permanent disappearance. If this assumption holds true, it could mean a smoother process for their eventual re-listing on GOG under the new publishing entity. However, until official confirmation and a concrete plan for their return are established, players are urged to seize the current opportunity to purchase these games on GOG if they wish to secure them in their digital libraries.
The removal of 'The Outer Worlds' and 'Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey' from GOG's store on December 15th underscores the complexities of digital game distribution. Although 'Ancestors' is available at a reduced price, 'The Outer Worlds' is not. This event stems from the recent sale and rebranding of their publisher, Private Division, to Fictions. The future availability of these titles on GOG is uncertain, prompting a call for interested players to make their purchases before the impending deadline.
