GOG, the digital game storefront known for its DRM-free titles, plans to significantly increase its reliance on Linux in 2026. This strategic shift follows strong criticism of Microsoft's Windows operating system by GOG's new owner, Michał Kiciński, who described it as "poor-quality software." Managing Director Maciej Gołębiewski confirmed that enhanced Linux support is a key priority for the company this year. ###^[1][2][3][4] Windows Frustration Fuels Linux Pivot Michał Kiciński, who became the sole owner of GOG in 2025 after acquiring it from CD Projekt, expressed his surprise that Windows has remained the dominant platform for so long. He stated in a recent interview that Windows is "such poor-quality software and product, and I'm so surprised that it's [spent] so many years on the market. I can't believe it!" Kicińs^{[1][5][2][3][4]}ki, a co-founder of CD Projekt, personally switched to macOS and recounted his frustrations when troubleshooting Windows PCs for his parents, calling the situation "unbelievable." This s^[1][6][3][4]entiment echoes a broader dissatisfaction among users and developers with Windows 11. Recent concerns include Microsoft's aggressive push for generative AI features like Copilot, the presence of advertisements in the Start menu, and increasing hardware requirements. Users also cite issues with excessive telemetry, security vulnerabilities, and inconsistent gaming performance as reasons to seek alternatives. ### GO^{[1][5][3][4][7][8]}G's Strategic Move for 2026 GOG Managing Director Maciej Gołębiewski affirmed the company's commitment to Linux. He told PC Gamer that GOG has made Linux "one of the things that we've put in our strategy for this year to look closer at." While Goł^{[1][9][2][3][10]}ębiewski did not provide specific details on upcoming features, he indicated that GOG could "do better on that front" given that Linux is "close to the hearts of our users." This signal^{[1][9][2][10]}s a potential shift toward improved Linux compatibility and features tailored for Linux users throughout 2026. The decisi^[1][5]on aligns with a growing trend in the gaming industry. Linux's market share in gaming has been rising, approaching 3.6% as of late 2025, partly fueled by the success of Valve's Linux-based Steam Deck handheld console. This increa^{[1][6][5][3][4]}sed momentum for Linux provides a strategic opportunity for GOG to attract gamers disillusioned with proprietary systems. ### Curren^[6][5]t Linux Support and Future Possibilities Currently, GOG offers native Linux packages for some games, depending on the developer. However, the platform's dedicated client, GOG Galaxy, does not have a native Linux version. Linux users^{[1][6][9][11][12]} rely on third-party tools such as the Heroic Games Launcher or Lutris to access and manage their GOG game libraries, often utilizing compatibility layers like Wine or Proton to run Windows-based titles. The lack o^{[1][6][11][13][14][15]}f a native GOG Galaxy client for Linux means that certain features, like downloadable content management via the GOG GALAXY SDK, are not available on the open-source operating system. GOG's commi^[11][16]tment to "look closer at" Linux in 2026 could mean exploring the development of a native Galaxy client or enhancing integration with existing Linux gaming tools. ### Indust^[1][9][17]ry Impact and Outlook GOG's move to prioritize Linux could foster a more inclusive gaming ecosystem, where DRM-free titles run natively on a wider range of setups. This shift ^[5]is seen as a calculated response to market dynamics and could redefine how games are distributed and played outside the Windows environment. The company^[5]'s long-standing focus on game preservation and DRM-free distribution naturally aligns with a multi-operating system approach, offering long-term playability and user ownership. The critic^[6][5][18]ism from GOG's leadership and the platform's increased focus on Linux also had an immediate impact, with Microsoft's stock experiencing a slight dip following Kiciński's remarks. As Linux con^[17]tinues to gain traction in the gaming world, 2026 could mark a turning point where player choice becomes a more significant factor than traditional operating system dominance in PC gaming. The outcome ^[5][18]will depend on GOG's ability to translate its intentions into tangible Linux support and for the open-source community to continue improving compatibility layers and drivers.

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