The digital gaming platform GOG has launched a time-sensitive initiative called FreedomToBuy.games, offering consumers an opportunity to claim a selection of NSFW (Not Safe For Work) games at no cost. This campaign serves as a protest against content censorship on other digital distribution platforms, specifically citing pressures from payment processors that have led to delistings of similar titles. The initiative highlights a broader conversation about the preservation of digital content and consumer rights to access legal media.
The offer includes 13 specific titles that have been impacted by recent removals from other storefronts. These games are available for free claim for a limited duration of 48 hours. Following this free period, the titles will remain available for purchase through the FreedomToBuy.games website. The campaign has garnered significant attention, with GOG reporting that over one million people claimed the free games within the first 24 hours of launch. This high volume of traffic required the company to allocate additional resources to maintain platform stability.
Available Games and Offer Details
The specific list of 13 games available through the FreedomToBuy.games initiative includes titles that fall under the NSFW category. The games offered are:
- Leap of Love
- Being a DIK – Season 1
- Leap of Faith
- POSTAL 2
- House Party
- HuniePop
- Lust Theory
- Agony + Agony Unrated
- Treasure of Nadia
- Summer’s Gone – Season 1
- Fetish Locator Week One
- Helping the Hotties
- Sapphire Safari
Consumers are not required to claim all 13 titles if they are only interested in specific games. The process allows users to select individual games they wish to acquire. The initiative is positioned as a statement on creative freedom, with GOG emphasizing that "if a game is legal and responsibly made, players should be able to enjoy it today – and decades from now." The company further noted that "any game that disappears today becomes exponentially harder to revive later."
Eligibility and Requirements
To participate in the FreedomToBuy.games offer, consumers must meet specific requirements set by the platform. There are no geographic restrictions mentioned in the source material, but users must possess the necessary account credentials to finalize the claim.
GOG Account Necessity
A valid GOG.com account is required to add the free games to a library. For consumers who have never used the platform before, GOG allows free sign-ups. This means that even first-time users can register and immediately claim the available titles without any subscription fees or purchase requirements.
Claiming Process
The claiming process is straightforward: 1. Navigate to the FreedomToBuy.games offer page. 2. Select the desired games from the list of 13 titles. 3. Click the "Claim Now" button associated with the selected game(s). 4. Receive a redemption code. 5. Apply the code to the GOG.com account to add the game to the library.
Once the game is added to the GOG library, it is owned permanently. GOG operates on a DRM-free model, meaning that once the game is downloaded, it cannot be taken away or revoked by the platform, unlike some other digital storefronts.
Campaign Context and Impact
FreedomToBuy.games was launched in direct response to delistings on platforms such as Steam and itch.io, which acknowledged tightening of rules regarding NSFW content due to pressure from payment processors. GOG’s initiative aims to raise awareness regarding censorship in gaming and to support the preservation of digital media.
The response to the initiative has been substantial. GOG reported that the demand was "so much beyond our expectations that our team needs to work around the clock to maintain the stability of the platform." Due to technical difficulties experienced by some users during the initial high-traffic period, GOG expanded the claiming window by a few hours to accommodate those who faced issues.
Future Availability
While the 48-hour free claim window is the primary component of the protest, the initiative has a lasting presence. After the free period expires, the games remain available for purchase through the FreedomToBuy.games website. Additionally, GOG has indicated that the library may grow in the future. Publishers can gift additional games to the site, and there is an email address listed on the FreedomToBuy website for developers who wish to contribute their games as part of the protest.
Conclusion
The FreedomToBuy.games initiative represents a significant move by GOG to support creative freedom and the preservation of legal digital content. By offering 13 specific NSFW games for free, the platform provides consumers with both no-cost access to media and a way to participate in a protest against censorship. The requirement for a free GOG account ensures that the barrier to entry remains low, allowing a wide range of consumers to participate. While the free claim period is limited to 48 hours, the availability of these games for purchase and the potential for future additions suggest that FreedomToBuy.games may serve as a long-term repository for titles facing delistings elsewhere.