GOG COM

* They say GoG Galaxy install isn't required to play games but it IS required to update many of them. VERY deceptive. Speaking of updates, GoG takes WEEKS to get out updates that Steam has on the day their released. Updates are also not easily located on the site - I initially had to use Google to find that section.
* Customer service ranges from indifferent to hostile. I honestly can't put it any clearer than that.
* Their apparently owned by CD-Projekt, the makers of the Witcher series. I've literally heard nothing bad about that outfit so it makes the problems that GoG exhibits all the more confounding.
* I've had several GoG-ified old games refuse to install on Windows 7 or exhibit serious issues. Found plenty of posts from other users with same problems and nothing but cut-and-paste advice from mods (not even actual support people).
* One of GoG's selling points is that they don't have DRM in their games, and that's technically correct. However, some games will NOT provide full functionality unless you're running GoG Galaxy. Even worse, when you try to get support for games the reps will sometimes conveniently be unable to find your account details and say you pirated the game. When they did this to me I told them to Google my name so they could find out about the legal firm I work for. This resulted in a quick change of attitude and a full refund, but those without leverage would probably be screwed. The best advice I can give about GoG was given to me by an online acquaintance: If you want to try the GoG release of a game, pirate it first and make sure it works correctly. THEN buy it from them. The whole DRM-free concept is wonderful but the company behind it really needs to clean up its act. In truth most of us wouldn't mind a very basic DRM scheme like a simple one-time activation if it helped GoG to become a better and more trustworthy company. I really wish they were based somewhere like Germany or Canada, too. Call me prejudiced but I have trouble trusting companies based in places that are inherently shifty.

I purchased a game from GOG.com and so has one of my friends. Specifically I purchased Gangsters: Organized Crime and my friend purchased Dungeon Keeper 2. Both are slated to function on a Windows XP, Vista, or Windows 7. Needless to say, neither game functioned on any of the three systems (yes I am an adult computer nerd who has all 3 systems and so do my friends/colleagues :) ). Per the website's recommendations, I ensured all my directX drivers were updated, attempted to run the software in 256 color mode, as an administrator, and run in different compatibility modes for all three systems. Not to mention I used several other methods that I am aware of to attempt to get the game to work (including bypassing introductory videos through the game configuration code). The DirectDraw components on the dxdiag check are enabled and functioning appropriately as will as the Direct3D components. My friend attempted the same and no matter what we tried we still could not get the software to run.

My friend and I both requested a refund from this store and we were both denied despite being well within the 30 day money back guarantee period. The only thing we were offered was store credit which is apparently only good for a year. How can we purchase a product that doesn't function and then our store credit money is only good for a year?

On the homepage of the website they specifically state that if the game does not function that they will issue a refund. Apparently this is not the case. Even with using the Steam website I only ever had one of Steam's games that would not run and they issued me a prompt refund.

Stay away from GOG.com. They DO NOT honor their "Money Back" guarantee. The lack of integrity they possess as a company is deplorable and their business license should be revoked and their server promptly shut down. Some others my have been able to get their software to run, but they are taking quite a risk with purchasing from this company. Remember just because one purchased software component worked this time, doesn't mean a newly purchased piece of software will work next time and at that point with this company, you are just up the creek without a paddle.