GOG Galaxy

What is GOG Galaxy?

GOG Galaxy is a gaming client and library management platform developed by CD Projekt, the parent company of GOG.com (formerly Good Old Games) and the creators of The Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077 franchises. Launched in 2014 and significantly upgraded with GOG Galaxy 2.0 in 2019, the platform serves as both a storefront for DRM-free games and an ambitious unified gaming library that can aggregate games from multiple platforms including Steam, Epic Games Store, PlayStation, Xbox, and more into a single interface.

What distinguishes GOG Galaxy from competitors is its fundamental commitment to DRM-free gaming and consumer-friendly practices. Every game purchased through GOG.com can be downloaded and played without an internet connection, without client requirements, and with complete ownership by the buyer. This philosophy extends to GOG Galaxy being entirely optional – users can download and manage their games directly from the website without ever installing the client. For those who do use the client, it provides a polished, ad-free experience focused on organizing and playing games rather than social features or marketplace transactions.

GOG Galaxy 2.0’s headline feature is its ability to import and unify game libraries from virtually every major gaming platform. By connecting accounts from Steam, Epic Games, Origin, Ubisoft Connect, PlayStation Network, Xbox, Battle.net, and more, users can view their entire gaming collection in one place. The client tracks achievements, playtime, and friends across platforms, offering a centralized hub for the increasingly fragmented PC gaming landscape.

Key Features

• DRM-Free Gaming: All games from GOG.com are completely DRM-free, allowing offline play, backup copies, and true ownership without copy protection restrictions.
• Unified Library: Import and view games from Steam, Epic Games, Origin, Ubisoft Connect, PlayStation, Xbox, and other platforms in single interface.
• Cross-Platform Friends: View and manage friends across different gaming platforms with unified friend lists and activity tracking.
• Achievement Tracking: Aggregate achievements from multiple platforms and track completion progress across your entire gaming collection.
• Playtime Statistics: Track total playtime across all connected platforms with detailed statistics and gaming history records.
• Optional Client: GOG Galaxy is completely optional – games can be downloaded directly from GOG.com and played without any launcher.
• Automatic Updates: Keep games up-to-date automatically or choose manual updates with rollback options to previous versions.
• Cloud Saves: Cloud save synchronization for supported titles ensures progress is preserved across multiple computers.
• Customizable Interface: Organize library with custom tags, categories, and filters to manage large game collections effectively.
• Privacy Focused: No ads, minimal data collection, and privacy-respecting design philosophy throughout the application.

What’s New

GOG Galaxy continues to evolve with regular updates enhancing functionality and user experience:

• Integration Updates: Continuously updated platform integrations maintaining compatibility with Steam, Epic, and other gaming platforms.
• Performance Improvements: Optimized client performance with faster startup times, reduced memory usage, and improved responsiveness.
• Library Management: Enhanced sorting, filtering, and organization tools for managing large game collections more effectively.
• Search Improvements: Better search functionality with instant results and improved filtering across connected platforms.
• Statistics Dashboard: Enhanced gaming statistics with detailed breakdowns of playtime, achievements, and gaming habits.
• Interface Updates: Refined user interface with visual improvements and accessibility enhancements throughout the application.
• Community Integrations: Updated community features for discovering games and connecting with other players.
• Backup Options: Improved game backup and restore functionality for preserving installations and settings.

System Requirements

Windows

• Operating System: Windows 7 SP1 or later (64-bit)
• Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo or equivalent
• RAM: 4 GB minimum
• Storage: 500 MB for client (game storage varies)
• Internet: Required for library sync and downloads

macOS

• Operating System: macOS 10.13 (High Sierra) or later
• Processor: Intel or Apple Silicon (via Rosetta 2)
• RAM: 4 GB minimum
• Storage: 400 MB for client

Linux

• No official Linux client available
• Games can be downloaded directly from GOG.com
• Community tools like Lutris and Heroic Games Launcher provide alternatives

Additional Requirements

• GOG.com account required for purchases
• Accounts on other platforms for library import features
• Modern web browser for web integrations

How to Install GOG Galaxy

Windows Installation

1. Visit gog.com/galaxy
2. Click “Download GOG Galaxy”
3. Run the downloaded installer
4. Follow installation wizard
5. Sign in with GOG account or create new one

# Download from official website
# https://www.gog.com/galaxy

# Using Chocolatey
choco install goggalaxy

# Using winget
winget install GOG.Galaxy

# After installation, connect gaming platforms:
# Settings > Integrations > Connect accounts

macOS Installation

1. Visit gog.com/galaxy
2. Download the macOS version
3. Open the DMG file
4. Drag GOG Galaxy to Applications
5. Launch and sign in with GOG account

# Using Homebrew
brew install --cask gog-galaxy

# Or download directly from
# https://www.gog.com/galaxy

# Launch after installation
open -a "GOG Galaxy"

# Sign in and connect platform accounts

Platform Integration Setup

# After installing GOG Galaxy:

# 1. Open Settings (gear icon)
# 2. Navigate to "Integrations"
# 3. Connect platforms:
#    - Steam
#    - Epic Games Store
#    - Origin / EA App
#    - Ubisoft Connect
#    - PlayStation Network
#    - Xbox Live
#    - Battle.net

# Each platform requires authentication
# Games will import automatically after connection

Direct Game Download (No Client)

# GOG games don't require the client
# Download directly from website:

# 1. Log in to GOG.com
# 2. Go to your Library
# 3. Select game
# 4. Download offline installers
# 5. Install and play without any launcher

# Backup installers for offline use
# No internet required to play

Pros and Cons

Pros

• DRM-Free Ownership: Complete ownership of purchased games without copy protection, enabling offline play and backup copies forever.
• Unified Library: Aggregate games from multiple platforms into single view, solving the fragmentation problem of modern PC gaming.
• Optional Client: Unlike Steam or Epic, GOG Galaxy is completely optional – games work perfectly fine without any launcher.
• No Advertisements: Clean, ad-free interface focused on your game library without promotional content or store pushes.
• Privacy Respect: Minimal data collection and privacy-focused approach compared to competing gaming platforms.
• Version Rollback: Ability to install previous game versions if updates cause issues or change gameplay.
• Quality Curation: GOG curates its store, ensuring games work properly and meet quality standards before listing.

Cons

• Smaller Library: GOG’s game catalog is significantly smaller than Steam, lacking many major publishers and recent releases.
• Integration Reliability: Third-party platform integrations sometimes break or require reconfiguration after platform updates.
• No Linux Client: Linux users don’t have an official GOG Galaxy client, limiting unified library features on that platform.
• Feature Gaps: Missing some features competitors offer like workshop mods, streaming, and advanced community features.
• Fewer Multiplayer Features: Cross-platform multiplayer and social features are more limited compared to Steam integration.

GOG Galaxy vs Alternatives

Who Should Use GOG Galaxy?

GOG Galaxy is ideal for:

• DRM-Free Advocates: Gamers who believe in true game ownership without copy protection restrictions appreciate GOG’s core philosophy.
• Multi-Platform Gamers: Players with game libraries spread across multiple stores benefit from unified library management features.
• Classic Game Enthusiasts: GOG specializes in older games optimized for modern systems, appealing to retro gaming enthusiasts.
• Organization-Focused Gamers: Players who want to catalog, organize, and track their entire gaming collection in one place.
• Privacy-Conscious Users: Those concerned about data collection and tracking find GOG’s privacy-respecting approach appealing.
• Offline Gamers: Users who frequently play without internet access benefit from DRM-free downloads that work offline completely.

GOG Galaxy may not be ideal for:

• Competitive Multiplayer Gamers: Those primarily playing online multiplayer titles may find Steam’s social features more robust.
• Mod Enthusiasts: Heavy modders who rely on Steam Workshop may find GOG’s modding support insufficient.
• Day-One Buyers: Gamers wanting newest releases on launch day may find GOG’s smaller catalog limiting.
• Linux Users: Without an official Linux client, Linux gamers miss out on unified library features.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is GOG Galaxy required to play GOG games?

No, GOG Galaxy is completely optional. You can download any game you’ve purchased directly from the GOG.com website as standalone installers. These installers work without any launcher, client, or internet connection. Simply download, install, and play. Many GOG users prefer this approach, keeping offline backup copies of their games on external drives. GOG Galaxy adds convenience features like automatic updates, cloud saves, and library unification, but the core game experience works perfectly without it.

What platforms can GOG Galaxy import games from?

GOG Galaxy 2.0 can import games from most major gaming platforms including Steam, Epic Games Store, Origin (EA App), Ubisoft Connect, Battle.net, Xbox, PlayStation Network, Humble Bundle, and several others. The import is accomplished through official or community-developed integrations. Note that importing games doesn’t transfer ownership – you still need the respective platform’s client to download and play non-GOG games. The feature provides a unified view and tracking, not actual game portability between platforms.

Are all GOG games truly DRM-free?

Yes, every game sold on GOG.com is completely DRM-free. This means no copy protection, no always-online requirements, no activation limits, and no client requirements. You can download, backup, reinstall, and play your games forever, even if GOG were to shut down. Some games may have optional online features, but the core game always works offline. This is GOG’s fundamental promise and distinguishes it from every other major gaming storefront.

Can I transfer Steam games to GOG?

GOG occasionally offers programs allowing you to claim GOG copies of games you own on other platforms, but this is not a standard feature. Generally, purchasing a game on Steam does not grant you a GOG copy, and vice versa. GOG Galaxy’s import feature only displays your Steam games in the unified library – it doesn’t actually transfer the games or let you download them through GOG. To play a Steam game shown in GOG Galaxy, you still need Steam installed.

Does GOG Galaxy have cloud saves?

Yes, GOG Galaxy offers cloud save synchronization for supported games. When enabled, your save files are automatically backed up to GOG’s servers and synchronized across devices. Not all games support cloud saves – it depends on developer implementation. For games without official cloud save support, you can manually backup save files, which is possible thanks to GOG’s DRM-free approach that doesn’t hide game files. The GOG website also provides information about which features each game supports.

Final Verdict

GOG Galaxy represents a refreshing alternative in the gaming client landscape, prioritizing consumer rights and user experience over aggressive monetization and lock-in tactics. The platform’s commitment to DRM-free gaming means that purchases through GOG.com result in true ownership – games that work forever, offline, without any client requirement. This philosophy alone makes GOG Galaxy valuable for gamers who value preservation and control over their digital libraries.

The unified library feature in GOG Galaxy 2.0 addresses a real problem facing modern PC gamers: the fragmentation of game collections across numerous platforms. By aggregating games from Steam, Epic, Origin, and console platforms into a single interface, GOG Galaxy provides organizational tools that no other client offers. While the integrations occasionally require maintenance and the feature set doesn’t match Steam’s breadth, the ability to see your entire gaming collection in one place is genuinely useful.

GOG Galaxy is recommended for gamers who value DRM-free ownership, want to organize multi-platform game collections, or appreciate a cleaner, ad-free client experience. While the GOG store’s catalog is smaller than Steam’s, its focus on classic games, quality curation, and consumer-friendly policies creates a compelling alternative. For those who simply want to own their games without restrictions and restrictions, GOG Galaxy and the GOG.com store represent the most consumer-friendly option in PC gaming today.