GOG has announced that Blizzard Entertainment’s Warcraft: Orcs & Humans and Warcraft II will be removed from its store on December 13. While the company didn’t explain why the two games are being delisted, simply stating that “there are times when not everything goes as we’d hoped” it’s obviously connected to Blizzard’s recent launch of the Warcraft Remastered Battle Chest. The compilation was released to celebrate Warcraft’s 30th anniversary and includes Warcraft I: Remastered, Warcraft II: Remastered, Warcraft III: Reforged (with Spoils of War Edition bonuses), the original Warcraft: Orcs & Humans, and Warcraft II: Battle.net Edition.
As a result of the delisting, however, GOG has updated its GOG Preservation Policy, stating that even if a game is no longer available for sale on its platform, the company will continue to maintain and update it, ensuring it remains compatible with modern and future systems. The team is proud of the work it did on both Warcraft: Orcs & Humans and Warcraft II and will ensure that those who purchase them before their removal receive the most compatible, high-quality versions possible. More importantly, GOG’s offerings are DRM-free, allowing players to enjoy their games offline with lifetime access.
It’s unfortunate that Blizzard Entertainment is likely responsible for the delisting, especially when GOG is focused on game preservation and its belief that games should live forever. To support GOG, the Warcraft I & II Bundle is available for $14.99.
Updated December 3, 2024: GOG has informed us that users can use the coupon code MakeWarcraftLiveForever to save $2 USD on the bundle.
