Hitman - Game of the Year Edition was released on GOG on September 22 but was shortly faced with an avalanche of review bombs from users. This is because even if the main story and bonus missions were playable offline, an internet connection was required for other modes like Escalation missions, Elusive Targets and Contracts as well as to get features like unlocking new equipment, mission scores and starting locations. Players associated this online requirement as a form of DRM and, by extension, anti-GOG.

As a response to the backlash, GOG decided to remove the game from its online storefront two days ago, stating that "we shouldn’t have released it in its current form". However, this does not necessarily mean that the delisting will be a permanent situation as GOG also mentions that it is in talks with developer IO Interactive.

Below is the full statement on the issue from a GOG representative:

Dear Community,

Thank you for your patience and for giving us the time to investigate the release of HITMAN GOTY on GOG. As promised, we’re getting back to you with updates.

We're still in dialogue with IO Interactive about this release. Today we have removed HITMAN GOTY from GOG’s catalog – we shouldn’t have released it in its current form, as you’ve pointed out.

We’d like to apologise for the confusion and anger generated by this situation. We’ve let you down and we’d like to thank you for bringing this topic to us – while it was honest to the bone, it shows how passionate you are towards GOG.

We appreciate your feedback and will continue our efforts to improve our communication with you.

Source

 

[brunocar]

People used the Internet to *negatively backlash a game that needs Internet?

dont make me post mr gotcha

 

[brunocar]

DELETED

 

[SS4]

I wish more platforms would do this.
If enough ppl show they won't support games that are not DRM free, then devs will have no choice to give up on them if they wanna sell.
I'll keep supporting GoG for sure.

 

[Viri]

Should have did this in the first case, instead of acting like a victim, and going after your customers. lol


It's like owning a dollar store, then being shocked, when people are angry because you're selling something for more than a dollar.

 

[fischermasamune]

Glad to see they finally removed it. Should have never been released there, as they recognized in the press release.

 

[Maq47]

Should have did this in the first case, instead of acting like a victim, and going after your customers. lol


It's like owning a dollar store, then being shocked, when people are angry because you're selling something for more than a dollar.

Dollar General says hi.

 

[RedBlueGreen]

Petty complaints tbh. No, the game shouldn't require an internet connection for a ton of features if it's a paid title, but that doesn't have anything to do with CD Projekt or GOG, that's on IO Interactive. If you thought that a game known for locking a ton of its content behind an internet connection would be different just because it's on GOG then you're a fool.

 

[RedBlueGreen]

Should have did this in the first case, instead of acting like a victim, and going after your customers. lol


It's like owning a dollar store, then being shocked, when people are angry because you're selling something for more than a dollar.

Terrible analogy. CD Projekt isn't responsible for the game they didn't make needing an internet connection for a ton of features.

If someone walk into a dollar store and they're mad stuff is more than dollar they're an idiot. Dollar store is a term used because most stuff costs $1. It's not a promise that everything is $1. That's why they're called variety stores in a lot of places outside North America where convenience stores are sometimes called variety stores. I don't walk into Dollarama or Dollar Tree, go find a bigger thing that costs more than or can't reasonably be sold for $1 and bitch. Grab discounted flatware, glassware, silverware, cookware, and some dry and canned stuff, buy it, then leave.

 

[ZeroFX]

i thought they only remove games that pokes with the pooh.

 

[LeyendaV]

I mean, that's not even remotely close to what a DRM is.

But, to be honest, I really can't believe companies keep pushing on things like permanent internet connection needed, Denuvo and all the other crap that people hate and don't really help them avoid piracy anyways.

 

[FAST6191]

Terrible analogy. CD Projekt isn't responsible for the game they didn't make needing an internet connection for a ton of features.

If someone walk into a dollar store and they're mad stuff is more than dollar they're an idiot. Dollar store is a term used because most stuff costs $1. It's not a promise that everything is $1. That's why they're called variety stores in a lot of places outside North America where convenience stores are sometimes called variety stores. I don't walk into Dollarama or Dollar Tree, go find a bigger thing that costs more than or can't reasonably be sold for $1 and bitch. Grab discounted flatware, glassware, silverware, cookware, and some dry and canned stuff, buy it, then leave.

They did not make it but they are the ones running a shop that touts DRM free games then having a game that is maybe not technically DRM laden but still somewhat outside the spirit of things they go for (people buy games on this service expecting that they are going to get something that might not have official servers for multiplayer any more but with any phone home stuff gone or minimally intrusive, and if possible the perks of such a service replicated in some manner). They also made a very poor reaction when their users called them out on it.

Equally while inflation has meant that dollar stores, or pound stores in the UK, euro fifty in other places in Europe, have had to start stocking items costing more than that (can't wait to see what happens to them when the consumer market finally realises money printer has gone brrr in a big way) then for a fair few years then other than sales tax in those places barbaric enough to add it at the till a lot of those shops were indeed what the name implies. Used to be endlessly amusing game for kids to taunt the customer service types asking what this costs knowing the customer service type could not go and issue a sorely deserved headbutt.

 

[CrossOut]

Now put up that Devotion horror game instead.

 

[ElSasori69]

First Time I hHeard about hitman having an Online Mode

 

[CanIHazWarez]

First Time I hHeard about hitman having an Online Mode

It's not an "Online Mode" as in playing with other people. It's still single-player, it just locks off a ton of features if you're not connected to the Internet. Almost none of these features should require an internet connection. Offline saves are kept separate than online saves. You don't gain any experience point while offline. You don't "discover" locations in the level while offline. You don't unlock weapons while offline. You don't unlock new starting locations while offline. Basically, you can't progress while offline, even though it's a 100% single-player game. Hitman 3 servers weren't running correctly at launch and people who paid full price for the game had to wait days to play a single-player game because it requires a connection. Scumbaggery at it's worst.

 

[eriol33]

Hitman online functions are weird. They can easily make them as offline experience. They just want to harvest your data, and get a free feedback for their next projects

 

[Jokey_Carrot]

Well yes, just something ironic.

Shut the fuck up smart ass.

 

[BeanMKW]

I hope they keep it off and continue to stick to their DRM-Free status

why?

 

[The Catboy]

why?

Fuck DRM, DRM actively ruins games or over-complicates enjoying games. The fact that most games and software preform better when pirated is a good indication as to why DRM is a a problem.

 

[Deleted member 514389]

Good. KH Collection Switch backlash and cancelation next pls.

Also make Square Enix bankcrupt while you're at it.

 

[Kioku]

What I don't understand is why they thought this was smart.... GOG has an image as this DRM-free deity for PC gamers. I get they want the money, but adding a DRM game of any type would just tarnish their reputation. Did IGN buy them out, too?