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Microsoft Stock Slips as GOG Eyes Linux Release to Escape Windows’ ‘Poor-Quality Software and Product’
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Windows Central ☛ GOG's new owner brands Windows as poor quality while he ponders Linux support — "I'm not surprised that people gravitate outside of the Windows ecosystem."
Another day, and another person exhausted with Windows. This time, it is GOG’s new owner, Michał Kiciński, who recently took control of the storefront after its split from CD Projekt Red.
Kiciński was one of the original founders of CD Projekt Red and now owns GOG outright. Like many PC gamers, he has grown frustrated with Windows, and while I still use the OS for the same reason, it is hard to disagree with much of what he says here.
In a recent interview with PC Gamer, Kiciński and GOG managing director Maciej Gołębiewski shared their views on Windows, Linux, and where the storefront is heading next. Here is what they had to say.
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Microsoft Stock Slips as GOG Eyes Linux Release to Escape Windows’ ‘Poor-Quality Software and Product’
Microsoft MSFT -0.50% ▼ stock was down on Wednesday after the CEO of digital PC game platform GOG criticized the company’s Windows operating system during an interview with PC Gamer. Michał Kiciński, the new owner and CEO of GOG after it was sold by CD Projekt OTGLY +6.64% ▲ late last year, said he was “surprised” that Windows has spent so many years on the market as it’s “such poor-quality software and product.”
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PC Gamer ☛ GOG's new owner can't stand Windows either: 'It's such poor-quality software… I can't believe it!'
"Windows sucks" feels like one of the most uncontroversial statements you can make online these days. Between AI guff, constant upselling (would you like to purchase an Office 365 subscription? No? Okay I'll ask again tomorrow), and myriad other reasons to be sick to the back teeth of Microsoft, it kind of feels like we're all trapped beating on the glass of an OS determined to make itself worse with every update (well, I'm not: I installed Linux).
At least it's not just you and me. Over the course of a wide-ranging chat about GOG's now-independent future, I asked new owner Michał Kiciński and managing director Maciej Gołębiewski if the storefront had much interest in the ongoing backlash against Windows and gamers' embrace—however small—of Linux. I got, well, two answers.
Notebookcheck:
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"Windows is bad software" – GOG to increase its reliance on Linux
Michał Kiciński, co-founder of CD Projekt and owner of the gaming platform GOG since 2025, has once again made headlines with outspoken views. After recently criticizing rival platform Steam, the Polish entrepreneur has now turned his attention to Windows. In an interview with PCGamer, he described Microsoft’s operating system as “bad software” and said it was “hard to believe” it has remained on the market for so long.
Kiciński is far from alone in his criticism. Windows has faced growing backlash in recent years, as users have become increasingly frustrated with forced AI features such as Copilot, ads in the Start menu, and the rising hardware requirements of Windows 11. These developments have pushed many users to explore alternatives like macOS or Linux. Michał Kiciński made the switch long ago and now uses macOS privately, though he still has to deal with Windows from time to time. As he puts it, he is constantly fixing his parents’ Windows PCs – a situation he describes as simply “unbelievable.”
Also here:
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The head of GOG wants to focus on Linux and slams Windows
Last month, CD Projekt parted ways with GOG, which was sold back to its co-founder Michał Kiciński for $25 million. Kiciński then embarked on a small media tour with CEO Maciej Gołębiewski.
In an interview with PC Gamer, the two men revealed that they want to focus on Linux, which has become "one of the things that we've put in our strategy for this year to look closer at". GOG wants to "do better" on Linux, which is *"close to the hearts of our users.”
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‘It’s such poor quality software’: GOG owner criticises Windows, says it will support Linux better in the future
The new owner of PC game store GOG.com has criticised the Windows ecosystem, and suggested the store will support Linux owners better in the future.
Last month CD Projekt sold GOG.com to its co-founder Michał Kiciński, who bought 100% of the shares for PLN 90.7 million ($25.2m).
In an interview with PC Gamer, Kiciński and managing director Maciej Gołębiewski were asked whether GOG had plans to focus more on Linux going forward, given a growth in pro-Linux and anti-Windows sentiment among some PC players.
Also here:
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Owner of big gaming platform can't believe how bad Windows 11 is – and hints are dropped about big things for Linux gamers this year
We've heard from a pair of the top execs behind GOG – a popular gaming platform focused on classic titles, hence the acronym 'Good Old Games' – and they made some withering comments about Windows 11, as well as dropping hints about how Linux is going to become more important for GOG in 2026.
The execs in question are the new owner of GOG, Michał Kiciński, and the managing director, Maciej Gołębiewski, who were interviewed by PC Gamer.
Our sister site asked about the backlash against Windows 11 – which has reached new heights since Microsoft started pushing AI even harder in the OS late last year – and the increasing interest in Linux as a result (which was already sparked by the success of SteamOS on handhelds).
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Now independent, GOG is thinking about publishing games and embracing Linux
Michal Kicinski recently explained why he acquired GOG from CD Projekt and outlined the potential advantages of taking the retro-focused PC game storefront private. While remaining true to its core strengths, a less risk-averse GOG could pursue forgotten intellectual properties more aggressively.
Although Kicinski has not made any final decisions about whether GOG will move into direct game publishing, he told Eurogamer that such a move would not have been possible under CD Projekt. The parent company of CD Projekt Red prefers to concentrate its resources on original franchises such as The Witcher and Cyberpunk.
In fact, the fear of seeing those resources diverted was the primary reason Kicinski purchased GOG from CD Projekt. He also revealed that other bidders had expressed interest in acquiring the company.