adminThe Devotion game controversy remains a difficult episode for GOG. The storefront’s managing director, Maciej Gołębiewski, has acknowledged that the company’s 2020 decision not to sell the Taiwanese horror title damaged its credibility and weakened users’ trust.
Image credit: Red Candle Games
Why the Devotion game was removed from sale
Developed by Red Candle Games, Devotion first launched on Steam in February 2019. The game was later removed after an in-game poster was interpreted as mocking Chinese president Xi Jinping. The fallout affected the developer’s publishing relationships: its agreements with Indievent and Winking Entertainment were terminated, and the Chinese government revoked Indievent’s business license.
In December 2020, Red Candle announced plans to release Devotion through GOG. GOG then said it would not sell the game. The decision meant the planned storefront release did not go ahead, leaving the developer’s title at the centre of a wider dispute involving business risks and geopolitical sensitivities.
GOG acknowledges the impact on its credibility
Looking back, Gołębiewski said GOG had faced real business constraints, had only a limited understanding of the geopolitical factors involved, and saw few options that it believed could protect both the company and its partners while enabling a responsible release.
He also acknowledged that the decision, along with how GOG communicated it, understandably damaged users’ confidence. He described the episode as difficult to reflect on and said the company’s choice came at a cost to its credibility.
Gołębiewski added that operating a global digital storefront involves legal, operational, and commercial considerations that can prevent an ideal outcome. That context helps explain the pressures GOG cited, but it does not change the company’s recognition that its handling of the situation affected trust.
What GOG says it has learned
Since the controversy, GOG has received positive attention for carrying the controversial game Horses. Gołębiewski said that decision was based on an evaluation of the game itself, rather than another concern. He also stressed that standing by certain values does not mean every decision will be simple or mistake-free.
For players, the episode illustrates why clear explanations matter when a storefront makes a high-profile decision about a game. When a release is delayed or cancelled, users may want to understand the practical constraints, the reasoning behind the choice, and whether the company is willing to address criticism openly.
Conclusion
GOG’s response shows that the Devotion game decision continues to shape how some users view the storefront. The company has admitted that its choice and communication damaged credibility, while saying it aims to be clearer and more consistent when explaining difficult decisions in the future.
