Spec Ops: The Line Removed from PC Online Stores: What You Need to Know
The critically acclaimed military shooter, Spec Ops: The Line, has recently been removed from several PC online stores, including Steam and Fanatical. This decision has sparked numerous questions among fans, so let’s examine the reasons behind this incident.
Originally reported by Wario64 on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), news of the game’s removal quickly spread across the internet. Both the game’s publisher, 2K, and developer, Yager, initially remained silent on the matter, giving rise to speculations and theories.
During a period when most military action games focused on glory and heroism, particularly during World War II, Spec Ops: The Line stood out as a modern shooter that effectively condemned players for treating war as a game. While the game received critical acclaim, it did not achieve commercial success initially but has since gained a cult following.
As of writing this article, Stephen Totilo revealed on platform X that “many partner licenses related to the game are expiring”, leading to the removal of Spec Ops: The Line from digital sales platforms. While the game has not been removed from all digital stores at this point, it is likely to happen in the near future.
This issue arises with many seventh-generation console games. Several of these games used music, characters, or other content owned by other companies, and the agreements were often not long-term.
A notable example of this is the delisting of Alan Wake from PC online stores in 2017. Like Alan Wake 2, the original game featured licensed music from artists such as David Bowie, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Roy Orbison, and Depeche Mode. Microsoft, which published the original Alan Wake in 2010, had a seven-year agreement with these artists. The company intervened to renegotiate the agreement on behalf of Remedy, resulting in the game’s return to Steam in late 2018.
In the case of Spec Ops: The Line, the soundtrack includes two songs from the Jimi Hendrix Experience, including “1983… (A Merman I Should Turn to Be)” from the 1968 album “Electric Ladyland”.
This fact becomes significant due to a court decision announced on January 29 in London. The judge ruled that the heirs of deceased members of the Jimi Hendrix Experience, bassist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell, have the right to sue Sony Music Entertainment for royalties related to the band’s music catalog.
Jimi Hendrix Experience released three albums between 1967 and 1968, and after Hendrix’s sudden death in 1970, Redding and Mitchell signed an agreement that provided them with a one-time payment in exchange for future royalty rights to the band’s recordings. Since then, these rights have proven to be worth millions due to licensing, CD reissues, and the streaming market.
In light of this decision, which was announced on the same day 2K removed Spec Ops: The Line from Steam, it can be speculated that the game was removed due to an impending legal process. However, there is no official confirmation of this, but it makes sense considering the industry.
According to MobyGames, the music of the Jimi Hendrix Experience has only appeared in a few video games over the years, with barely any of them currently in circulation. For example, the song “Voodoo Chile” from 1968 was used in several old WWE games as Hulk Hogan’s theme song, but none of these games have been transferred to modern platforms. Spec Ops: The Line may be the only video game you can currently buy and play that features Jimi Hendrix Experience tracks.
As of now, Spec Ops: The Line is still available for purchase on the Xbox Store, GOG, and Humble. If you haven’t played this game yet, it might be a good opportunity that you shouldn’t miss, as it could be your last chance to own it for a while.
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The source of the article is from the blog girabetim.com.br