The last statements from the new owner of GOG They have ignited a debate about the current state of Windows as a PC gaming system. In a recent interview, Michał Kiciński, co-founder of CD Projekt and now sole owner of the digital store, didn't mince words when assessing the quality of Microsoft's operating system, which he considers a clearly deficient product.
Meanwhile, GOG's top brass has hinted that its focus is gradually shifting towards Linux and other alternative environmentsTaking advantage of the waning popularity of Windows 11 among a significant portion of PC gamers, this strategic shift could have a direct impact on the community, where the PC remains a key platform for gaming and where there is a growing buzz about seeking alternatives outside the Microsoft ecosystem.
GOG's jab at Windows: "very poor quality" software
The starting point of this whole controversy lies in the forceful words of Michał Kicinski during a conversation with the specialized magazine PC GamerThe executive confessed to being “I’m really impressed with Windows” He went so far as to describe it as "a very poor quality software and product," making it clear that he finds it difficult to understand how it has remained a standard in the PC market for so many years.
According to Kiciński himself, he uses it in his daily life Linux and macOSBut he still has to deal with Windows when he helps his parents with their computers. On those occasions, he says he encounters a system that's not very polished, full of friction and problems, to the point that he's not surprised many people are starting to move away from it. Windows ecosystemIn his words, he doesn't exactly consider it "the best ecosystem".
The criticism hasn't been limited to an isolated comment. In another statement, the new owner of GOG was even more specific when referring to Windows 11 as “a poor quality product”This aligns with the complaints of thousands of users who, since the launch of this version, feel that the system has been taking steps backward in stability, lightness and user experience.
A saturated ecosystem: complaints about performance, weight, and forced features
The negative assessment of Kiciński is based on a growing discontent among PC gamers. Many users complain that Windows 11 is getting heavier and heavierWith more background processes, superfluous elements, and design layers that don't always add anything and only complicate daily use, the general perception is that the system is full of features that don't quite work as they should or are simply unnecessary for gaming.
Added to this is the recurring criticism of the forced integration of artificial intelligence functionsFeatures like Copilot are perceived more as a Microsoft marketing push than a tool the average gamer requested. The constant changes to the interface and the organization of menus and settings have also generated resistance, with some considering them unintuitive and focused more on aesthetics than functionality.
The players also complain of performance and compatibility issues after certain updates, as well as a app ecosystem and official store which hasn't quite caught on with the most demanding users. This combination of factors is translating into a feeling of weariness with the Windows environment, which is no longer limited to "four angry users" in forums, but is starting to appear in the mouths of relevant figures in the PC gaming industry.
GOG: a DRM-free store undergoing complete reconfiguration
Amid this context, GOG is undergoing a period of significant change. The store, known for its historic commitment to DRM-free games (without protection systems that limit the user), has become 100% controlled by Michał Kiciński after the purchase of all its shares and the formal separation of the studio CD Projekt RED, responsible for sagas such as The Witcher and Cyberpunk.
Since its inception, GOG has positioned itself as a alternative to platforms like Steam or Epic Games Storewith a special emphasis on preserving and ensuring the compatibility of classic games on modern hardware. Although it doesn't boast the same user base or revenue as Steam, the store has carved out a niche among gamers who value respect for the user experience, the absence of DRM, and a closer relationship with the community.
The new era under Kiciński promises to maintain that philosophy of independent operationBut with a significant strategic shift: a greater focus on operating systems other than Windows, with Linux in the spotlight. The owner himself and CEO, Maciej Gołębiewski, agree that a large part of GOG's user base looks favorably upon Linux and hopes for clearer recognition from the store.
Linux joins GOG's strategy
During recent interviews, both Kiciński and Gołębiewski have confirmed that Linux is now part of the roadmap The CEO explained that the open-source system has been explicitly included in this year's strategy to "examine the situation in more detail" and assess the extent of GOG's support for this platform.
Although they insist that they don't want to to commit even with concrete promisesThey do acknowledge a clear trend: Linux is "very close to the hearts" of its users, and the internal feeling is that GOG "could do better" in this area. Improving the compatibility of its catalog and making its games easier to use on popular distributions is seen as a natural step in the medium term.
GOG's direction suggests that we will see additional efforts to polish the gaming experience on LinuxThis is especially relevant in a context where many gamers are trying alternatives to Microsoft's system for the first time. The possibility that classic titles from the store will run more easily on Linux is particularly appealing to those who use older or secondary computers to continue playing.
An overwhelming dominance of Windows… for now
Despite the setbacks, the data continues to show a picture in which Windows maintains a very clear advantage. in the realm of PC gaming. According to recent surveys by Steam, Valve's platform that serves as a global barometer of the sector, over 94% of its users still use some version of Windows for gaming.
In the face of that dominance, Linux still operates in minority figuresLinux accounts for around 3,5% of all Steam players, while macOS is around 2,2%. These are modest percentages, but the trend points to sustained growth for the open-source system, especially since Valve's push with SteamOS and devices like the Steam Deck, which have demonstrated that it's possible to play comfortably in a Linux-based environment.
In that context, the fact that GOG, a store focused on the Traditional PC games with a strong catalog of classicsMicrosoft's announcement of its intention to focus more on Linux adds pressure to an ecosystem where Windows has always held the advantage. If other platforms follow suit, the gap could begin to narrow, at least in specific market segments.
SteamOS, Steam Deck and the rise of gaming on Linux
The final push that has awakened a large part of the industry to Linux has come from Valve. With Steam Deck and the development of SteamOS, a Linux-based distributionThe company has shown that you don't need to be an expert user to enjoy a wide catalog of games outside of Windows.
Many gamers discovered, thanks to this portable device, that titles originally designed for Windows They could run smoothly on Linux thanks to technologies such as Proton, completely changing the perception of this system, which went from being "the weird one" or "the complicated one" to a viable alternative for playing in the living room, on the train or anywhere.
Although GOG does not have its own hardware like Steam Deck, at least not at the moment, it does have a powerful advantage: its preservation program and its large catalog of classic gamesIf the company manages to get a significant portion of those titles running smoothly on Linux, it could become a benchmark for those looking to relive old games on modern machines without being tied to Windows.
A discomfort that is no longer just an anecdote
What makes the GOG owner's statements particularly striking is that they give voice to a a feeling of weariness that is being heard more and more Outside of specialized forums, Kiciński's story, in which he admits to feeling desperate every time he has to "fix his parents' Windows computer," is familiar to many users: slow systems, confusing menus, embedded ads, and automatic functions that don't quite fit with what the player needs.
That frustration, coupled with the availability of simpler Linux distributions, improved compatibility with modern games, and the rise of mobile gaming, is encouraging a growing number of users trying alternative systemsGOG sees this movement and, without wanting to make any missteps, begins to prepare the ground to offer more options to its community.
The store, which has always gone against the grain with its DRM-free policy and its advocacy for the more traditional PC gamer, could end up playing a significant role in the Linux standardization as a gaming platformIf you add to that equation the discontent with Windows 11 and the bet of other companies on Linux-based devices, the PC gaming landscape may become slightly more diverse than it has been in recent decades.
All this back-and-forth of criticism of Windows and nods to Linux from GOG reflects a moment of change in the PC world: Microsoft's system still reigns supreme, but is accumulating complaints about its quality and direction, while Linux, driven by Valve and now closely watched by GOG, is gaining ground as a real gaming option, especially among those looking for regain control over your team and escape from an ecosystem that many perceive as increasingly cumbersome and less user-friendly.
