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.
RedneckonLinux Jan 31
There's small possibility it gets added back to the store. That happened with DuckTales Remastered. However DuckTales as brand is stronger, so the chance for Spec Ops: The Line are quite slim.
RedneckonLinux Jan 31
Quoting: AnzaI do have one extra key in Humble if somebody wants it. Can't guarantee that it works as AFAIK available keys are tied to sales on Steam. So remember to activate it right away.
There's small possibility it gets added back to the store. That happened with DuckTales Remastered. However DuckTales as brand is stronger, so the chance for Spec Ops: The Line are quite slim.
No worries I own it on Steam already I just have taken a big swing towards DRM free lately and wanted it on GOG. Bummed out I missed it. Shouldn't have hesitated last night and just bought it lol.
Quoting: AnzaI do have one extra key in Humble if somebody wants it. Can't guarantee that it works as AFAIK available keys are tied to sales on Steam. So remember to activate it right away.
There's small possibility it gets added back to the store. That happened with DuckTales Remastered. However DuckTales as brand is stronger, so the chance for Spec Ops: The Line are quite slim.
The key found a good home. Good news is that Humble at least has keys left.
Quoting: Purple Library GuyQuoting: melkemindWhile I agree that should describe the world, I'm not sure it actually does. Whatever nice sounding rhetoric has been said, either now or at the time the laws were first being defined, benefits for publishers were a big, and perhaps the biggest, part of the mix from the very beginning.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.
You can take a quick look at the history of publishing and see what you're saying is wrong. Most copyright was held by authors and artists for much of the early history of the law. As far as patents go, we know who early inventors were because their names were on the patents, not the names of corporations. The idea of corporations as "persons" is a relatively new concept.
Companies like Disney had to fight to get copyright extended for their own benefit, but the law didn't begin the way it is now. Furthermore, a lot of people don't realize how many rights they lost when the DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) went into effect. That was a law designed primarily to benefit corporate, capitalist interests, but it's only 25 years old.
Quoting: Liam DaweQuoting: 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
What does VP mean in this context?
Also, take my Linux gamer card...
Oh, the cruel irony - just as I got an actual gaming pc for the first time in my life... 😢
Quoting: chrQuoting: Liam DaweQuoting: 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
What does VP mean in this context?
It's Virtual Programming. They're a Mac game publisher / porter who ported some high profile games to Linux as well. The ports weren't perfect, but I bought and enjoyed most of them anyway.
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