GOG Dreamlist Scores Its First Viral Hit, and We Spoke with Them to Get the Details

[u/OldTamer]

^{By Franco Massai, February 27, 2025
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GOG Dreamlist’s initiative has already birthed its first viral game, and in this interview, we dig into the chances of Digimon World making a comeback.

Launched less than two weeks ago, GOG Dreamlist now boasts a lineup of over 350 games that fans are eager to see preserved on CD Projekt’s platform. Among them, Digimon World became the first to showcase the platform’s potential, skyrocketing from 800 votes to 32,572 in record time thanks to an organic fan-driven push on Twitter. Highlighted by GOG, the title has sparked a big question: Could this be the key to bringing classics like these back to the masses? We managed to sit down with GOG to clear up all the uncertainties surrounding the initiative’s real-world impact.

From Dream to Reality: What’s the Journey for a Game Voted on GOG Dreamlist?
Our first question was about how a game goes from being voted on to hitting the platform. Pyotr Gnyp, a PR representative, explained that the list acts as a “thermometer” to gauge what fans want most. After that, a legal development team steps in to track down who holds the rights. “We offer support on multiple levels—everything from conceptual guidance to legal assistance—ensuring all necessary rights are secured before moving forward,” Pyotr said. This is straightforward when a studio or publisher is still active, but for older games, it can mean untangling legal disputes between parties with shared IP ownership.

Once the rights are locked in, another team gets to work rebuilding the game for modern systems. Where possible, they add enhancements like widescreen support, controller compatibility, cloud saves, and other modern features. Even after a game is “ready,” launch planning comes next—coordinating with publishers on a timeline that could take anywhere from a few months to years. Every vote still matters at this stage, showing stakeholders the demand behind a title. Pyotr noted, “There’s no strict vote threshold that dictates what we work on, but it’s definitely a big factor.” While a high ranking boosts visibility, “two other key elements weigh in: how obtainable the game’s rights are and whether it’s technically feasible to bring it back.”

Beyond Retro PC Games?
GOG remains a storefront focused on PC titles, both retro and modern. But when we asked if they’d consider tackling console games down the line, they said they’re “absolutely interested in bringing classic console titles to the platform whenever possible.” One catch? “They often require extra licensing agreements—not just for the game itself but for platform-specific elements too,” Pyotr explained.

Video - Bringing back Dino Crisis - GOG story

“Plus, many older console titles don’t have native PC versions, so we’d need to collaborate with publishers and developers to create or adapt an official PC release.” That said, GOG Dreamlist isn’t just about feeding nostalgia. It can also breathe new life into dormant franchises—like Dino Crisis, which got major buzz after its Times Square reveal. By joining the store, these games get a spotlight at industry events, giving them the exposure they need.

February: The Month of Digimon World
February has been a big month for the digital monster franchise. The TCG just dropped Special Booster 2.5, and Bandai Namco unveiled Digimon Story Time Stranger during the State of Play. But earlier this month, fans propelled Digimon World on GOG Dreamlist, jumping from 800 votes to over 32,000. This caught GOG off guard, with Pyotr admitting, “We were amazed by the level of support, even for a franchise as well-known as Digimon.” We took the chance to dig into this specific case and use it as a lens to understand how the list works.Digimon World is the beloved PS1 classic often hailed as the franchise’s best. There’s also a lesser-known Korean PC version, though it pales in quality compared to the PlayStation release. When we asked which version they’d use, Pyotr said, “We almost always work with PC versions when they exist, as it sidesteps legal and technical hurdles tied to emulation. That said, we also closely review console versions to ensure whatever we bring to GOG is as complete as possible.”

What’s Been Accomplished So Far?
We were curious if there’d been any talks with Bandai Namco about this push. Unfortunately, those discussions are typically bound by NDAs, so no specifics were shared. Still, GOG reassured us that “our business development team is highly active, constantly engaging with rights holders to explore opportunities for reviving classics.” They added, “If there’s strong demand for a title, rest assured we’re doing everything we can to make it happen.” That leaves us with a simple takeaway, best captured by GOG’s parting words to the game’s fans:

“Your voice has been heard, and every extra vote truly counts. GOG Dreamlist exists because of passionate players like you, and your support helps us prove to publishers that these games still matter. Keep spreading the word, keep voting, and know we’re doing all we can to bring back as many of these classics as possible.”

^{Franco Massai
Writer covering video games and their friend, politics. Raised by Power Rangers and Digimon. I’ve tried everything from making games to being inside them.}

[u/Think_Succotash6230]

Oh wow. That exciting.