According to KitGuru.net, a new job listing for a Senior C++ Software Engineer at GOG reveals the company is finally developing a native Linux version of its GOG Galaxy client. The listing, spotted via The Bryant Review, explicitly states the engineer will be tasked with building the application’s architecture with Linux compatibility as a core priority “from day one.” This marks a major strategic pivot, as the platform has historically relied on community tools like the Heroic Games Launcher to serve Linux users. The goal is to bring native high-value features—cloud saves, automatic updates, and cross-platform library management for Epic, Xbox, and Steam—directly to the Linux ecosystem. This initiative is framed as developing for a “wide array of hardware” and signals a long-term commitment to making Linux a pillar for preserving retro games.
Why this matters now
Look, this has been a long time coming. GOG has always been the beloved, DRM-free underdog, but its lack of a proper Linux client felt like an increasingly glaring omission. Especially with the Steam Deck’s massive success. Think about it: you’ve got this fantastic handheld PC running Linux, a paradise for tinkerers and open-source fans, and one of the major PC storefronts is basically a second-class citizen on it. Users had to rely on third-party launchers or Proton, which, while heroic (pun intended), isn’t the same as a first-party, fully-supported experience. GOG is basically admitting that community solutions aren’t enough anymore if they want to be a real player. They need to own the entire stack.
Winners and losers
So who wins here? Obviously, Linux gamers and Steam Deck owners get a huge win. A native GOG Galaxy means one less layer of compatibility to worry about, and direct access to those unified library features. It legitimizes Linux further as a gaming platform. But is it bad news for Heroic Games Launcher? Probably not in the short term. Heroic is an amazing project that supports multiple stores. But long-term, if GOG’s native client is good, the incentive to use Heroic specifically for GOG titles diminishes. The real competitive pressure, though, is on Valve. Steam is the undisputed king on Linux, largely by default. A proper, full-featured GOG client introduces real choice. It gives gamers a reason to not just default to their Steam library on the Deck. That’s healthy competition.
The bigger picture
Here’s the thing: this isn’t just about adding another OS. It’s a signal about GOG’s ambitions and its core identity. They’re framing this around preserving retro games, which makes perfect sense. A lot of that classic library runs beautifully on Linux with the right setup, and having a dedicated, official client to manage it all aligns with their archival mission. They’re not just chasing the Deck trend; they’re building for the “wide array of hardware” that defines the Linux world. This move says GOG is serious about being platform-agnostic in the truest sense. It’s a commitment to the open ecosystem, which is exactly the kind of move their most loyal fans want to see. Now, they just have to build it well. No pressure.
