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PayPalSpec 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.
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Usually when they unrelease your game, it's because they used licensed music and their license expired. Perhaps they'll update it with royalty-free or in-house music and put it back on sale, like what Crazy Taxi did. I hope so anyway. It was a great game.
5 Likes, Who?
I just hope when they do that I can keep my original version with the music. I'm still to play it, I'm ashamed to say.
0 Likes
pleasereadthemanual 30 Jan 2024
I was seconds away from buying this game on GOG before I realized I already own it on Steam. I also own it on Xbox through Games With Gold, which means I probably can't play it on Xbox since I no longer have a Gold subscription...
I have no idea when I acquired the game on Steam. It must have been through a Humble Choice or something...
I have no idea when I acquired the game on Steam. It must have been through a Humble Choice or something...
1 Likes, Who?
For many it left a lasting impressionIMO one of the most overlooked games of its generation. Gameplay wise is just another cover shooter of the PS3/360 days, but it's masterfully written with morality and ethics of war right in the middle. The cherry on top is the soundtrack, a banger after another, and as you said, probably the reason of this delisting. It's sad seeing great games disappear.
7 Likes, Who?
hardpenguin 30 Jan 2024
It was one of the first high profile Linux native ports by Feral that I purchased. Such a shame.
1 Likes, Who?
It was one of the first high profile Linux native ports by Feral that I purchased. Such a shame.Was actually VP :P
1 Likes, Who?
Turkeysteaks 30 Jan 2024
I remember playing this on my GT 710 years ago a little after the native port came out. Was one of the earlier AAA games I played thanks to the native build. It ran like absolute trash because of my system, but it was incredibly memorable. Gameplay wasn't anything super special, but I still found it pretty fun - but ziplining across the sand-covered Dubai always looked so pretty (even on my rig back then) and the story was so interesting. Also gave me nightmares, but that's besides the point.
Might spin it back up, I imagine my XTX will be able to work a little harder at it haha.
Might spin it back up, I imagine my XTX will be able to work a little harder at it haha.
1 Likes, Who?
hardpenguin 30 Jan 2024
WHAT!!! How could I make such a mistakeIt was one of the first high profile Linux native ports by Feral that I purchased. Such a shame.Was actually VP :P
4 Likes, Who?
Gonna request your Linux gamer card backWHAT!!! How could I make such a mistakeIt was one of the first high profile Linux native ports by Feral that I purchased. Such a shame.Was actually VP :P
9 Likes, Who?
This time-limited licensing is such bullshit. Basically building a self-destruct timer into the product.
9 Likes, Who?
It was a bit overrated i felt. Then again, I skipped all the cut scenes and had the audio muted - maybe I missed something?
2 Likes, Who?
StalePopcorn 30 Jan 2024
I suddenly feel like installing it again and trying to play through this time, dang it!
1 Likes, Who?
dirkdierickx 30 Jan 2024
It 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.
14 Likes, Who?
Incredible and amazing story based on the book Heart Of Darkness just like Apocalypse Now (and the game feels like that movie moved over to Iraq). The single downside is that the helicopter chase part is botched on the highest difficulty, it is simply not possible to get past that section.
1 Likes, Who?
This 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.
4 Likes, Who?
It 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?
1 Likes, Who?
How 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?This 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.
1 Likes, Who?
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.Sorry! Guess I should have planted a smiley at the end. It was a joke
But I'm sure there are people who did skip the story and robbed themselves of a fantastic experince.
1 Likes, Who?
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