r/pcgaming: OpenTTD Explains Its Steam and GOG Changes Around Atari's TTD Re-Release

The OpenTTD post trending on r/pcgaming stands out because it is not just a storefront-policy note. It is a clear explanation of how a long-running open-source project is trying to coexist with the commercial re-release of the game that inspired it. In its March 19, 2026 update, the OpenTTD team said the recent Steam and GOG changes were not the result of Atari forcing its hand, and that the project remains fully independent.

What changed

According to the official post, Atari approached the OpenTTD team to explain its plans for a Transport Tycoon Deluxe re-release and to discuss what that would mean for OpenTTD on Steam and GOG. The compromise they reached is specific: new players on those storefronts now need to purchase Transport Tycoon Deluxe first in order to access OpenTTD there. At the same time, OpenTTD remains free to download from the project's own website.

That distinction matters. The team said removing OpenTTD from Steam and GOG entirely would have created unnecessary disruption for the many existing players who already use those platforms, and it also could have reduced future discovery. Instead of a full withdrawal, the project chose a middle path that keeps the storefront versions alive while changing how new users enter the ecosystem.

Why the team thinks the compromise is acceptable

OpenTTD openly framed the decision around its history. The project said it owes everything to Transport Tycoon Deluxe and to Chris Sawyer, because OpenTTD began as an almost perfect clone before evolving into a much broader simulator over the years. From that perspective, collaborating with Atari on the re-release was presented as a way to acknowledge the original rights holder while still preserving a free and well-developed version of the game for the community.

The update also said Atari agreed to contribute toward OpenTTD's server infrastructure costs. That detail makes the move more than a symbolic licensing accommodation. It suggests the project is trying to secure practical support for the services that keep the community running, including downloads and related online infrastructure.

What to watch next

OpenTTD remains free on its own website, so its core accessibility has not been removed.

Steam and GOG will now function more as conditional storefront channels than fully open entry points for new users.

The key trust signal will be whether OpenTTD keeps shipping updates and operating independently, as the team says it will.

For PC gaming communities, this is a notable case because it shows a mature open-source project choosing negotiation over a clean break. Some players will still dislike the decision, but the official explanation is straightforward: OpenTTD wanted to limit disruption, preserve access, and keep its long-term future stable while Atari pursued the commercial re-release of Transport Tycoon Deluxe.