Spec Ops: The Line from YAGER / 2K has been unexpectedly removed from Steam, as the store page is now delisted so it won't show up in searches and it can no longer be purchased.
It's not clear why it has been done, and no announcement has been made on it anywhere that I can see officially. So we're left to speculate for now. When this usually happens it's often some rights that expired that they don't wish to relicense or update the game to remove it like music, which Spec Ops: The Line had a fair few big names in so that's quite likely. Update 31/01/24: as I suspected, it's some licenses not getting renewed as per the statement sent to Kotaku notes - "Spec Ops: The Line will no longer be available on online storefronts, as several partnership licenses related to the game are expiring".
While the gameplay wasn't exactly all that special, but what many praised it for was the narrative as the developer tried to make it more meaningful than a lot of other shooters. For many it left a lasting impression so it's a shame if it will eventually be removed from other stores too.
For now at least you can still buy it from:
GOG (80% off until February 6th) - now delisted as of 31/01/24, 16:30 UTC
Humble Store (keys will likely run out) - Humble have now removed their offer as of 01/02/24.
Quoting: hardpenguinGonna request your Linux gamer card backQuoting: Liam DaweWHAT!!! How could I make such a mistakeQuoting: hardpenguinIt was one of the first high profile Linux native ports by Feral that I purchased. Such a shame.Was actually VP :P
StalePopcorn Jan 30
dirkdierickx Jan 30
Quoting: whizseIt was a bit overrated i felt. Then again, I skipped all the cut scenes and had the audio muted - maybe I missed something?
yeah, you missed what made the game worth playing, the shooter action parts are not that special at all, the story is. completely marketed wrong. action junkies will wonder what all the fuss is about, and gamers that like a good story will skip it because it looks like an action game.
Quoting: LinasThis time-limited licensing is such bullshit. Basically building a self-destruct timer into the product.
Copyright, patents, etc. are generally misused nowadays. They were intended for individual creators to get compensation and credit for their work, not for corporations to hoard, exploit and fatten their portfolios.
Quoting: whizseIt was a bit overrated i felt. Then again, I skipped all the cut scenes and had the audio muted - maybe I missed something?
Yeah, I think bacon is overrated. Then again, I have no taste buds - maybe I missed something?
Quoting: melkemindHow does that work for films? Or rather: how can music licensing work for films with seemingly little to no hassle once a deal is struck, but is a gigantic and recurring pain for video games?Quoting: LinasThis time-limited licensing is such bullshit. Basically building a self-destruct timer into the product.
Copyright, patents, etc. are generally misused nowadays. They were intended for individual creators to get compensation and credit for their work, not for corporations to hoard, exploit and fatten their portfolios.
Or, are movie industry execs stuck in neverending meetings about licensing this song for Apocalypse Now, or that bit of stock footage?
Clearly, something needs (re-)regulating here.
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