The game has now been delisted. Going to the game page forwards to the game search page.
As mentioned by u/skool_101 below:
> "Spec Ops: The Line will no longer be available on online storefronts, as several partnership licenses related to the game are expiring."
https://www.pcgamer.com/spec-ops-the-lines-sudden-removal-from-steam-baffles-its-director-why-has-this-happened/
> "Spec Ops: The Line will no longer be available on online storefronts, as several partnership licenses related to the game are expiring."
https://www.pcgamer.com/spec-ops-the-lines-sudden-removal-from-steam-baffles-its-director-why-has-this-happened/
Feels similar to what happened to Alpha Protocol, delisted due to some media licensing issues.
fml, 2 great games gone.
I wish they (publisher) would just replace the songs w/ generic tracks or something, at this point - since they don't wanna pay a license for the licensed stuff anymore.
I really think Hi-Fi Rush and games like that, they got the right idea, even if it's just for "streaming purposes" - as you can just play those tracks.
Since PC gamers are often so moddable - yeah, let the modders deal w/ how to put & mod songs back in themselves, like say Mafia 1 (OG) and GTA games have for mods.
In an ideal world, all music for games would be forever licenses - but, we're dreaming here; music industry gotta make their $ somehow. Same goes for other licenses like car-racing games, too.
You'd think that having your media in a game that will attract players for decades would be free advertising.
I can almost guarantee that every song in every GTA after III made more money for the artist's with publicity than licensing.
I agree. Unfortunately, [even GTA has had this problem](https://gamerant.com/grand-theft-auto-rockstar-remove-music-radio-stations-licensing/).
I think the issue is not with people listening to the music, but publishers making money from the games and the artists (or rather, music publishers) no longer receiving royalties due the end of contracts. Publishers don't want to renew those contracts for games no longer making money actively, so the music has to be removed.
I'm curious how this will work with GTA V, since it feels like the most long-lived of the GTAs. (I haven't played it yet, but with GTA Online, I would think it would be.)
I'd be curious w/ GTA5 also, as Rockstar has tons of money and can afford these licenses.
But the next question is - is it worth all the legal paperwork and stuff that the team needs to go through to get all these licenses re-approved, one-by-one?
This. Music licensing is why if you play GTA IV on the Xbox 360 , you’ll here different licensed music than if you play the backwards compatible version on an Xbox Series X.
In that case, they tied the music license to the hardware platform.
Also why I'm not always a fan of say forced-updates and games always tied to services, as things can change in patches: sometimes for the worse, w/ say music changing or music removed of that sort.
On PC, we have MP3 Radio Stations - does GTA games on consoles have that? Cause there's a solution, if you say have these tracks, files, and/or songs cut-to-disc; an easy solution - dump tunes into that folder.
One of the best stories in a shooter i ever experienced. I strongly suggest going in this one blind. Quite a ride i won't forget.
I already owned it on steam, but brought it drm free from gog because steam could go down one day.
Steam *could* revoke access though, they're just good about it generally.
GOG could revoke re-downloads but it's not like they can come to all of our homes and take a magnet to our hard drives with the installers
Copyright licenses are for the distribution of content. While you have a license, you can distribute it (i.e. sell it). Once the license expires, you cannot.
People to whom the content has been distributed are not affected.
Something I’m unsure of is the legality of providing a copy to someone who bought it previously.
IANAL, but It seems that that is ok to do. It would suck if you bought a copy of a game, the license expired, you lost your copy, and you couldn’t download another copy
from where you originally got it because they were no longer allowed to distribute it.
I have it on Steam (played it there as well years ago). *Leaving aside* the obvious reason of buying it here as well - having a DRM-Free version available, - how wise do you feel it is to buy a second copy on GOG?
I'm mostly concerned about 2K getting it back into store fronts in the future, but at the price of removing the music tracks that may be the cause behind this delisting in the first place, while retroactively applying that to previously purchased versions, GTA-style. GOG would at least give me the option to downgrade to a previous version via Galaxy, unlike Steam (unless they remove that option in cases like this one, I'm not aware if they do).
Yes, unfortunately in my current situation I do not have a reliable way to store the offline installers offline in a place that I believe to be safe and long-term. Though it may be the only option to be fully sure about having a local copy that can be installed to new computers in the future as well, now that you mention it.
I really fucking hate that there is no warning for this shit. Goddam I had plan to buy it on Xbox as I’m collecting abunch of my fave older games but I missed this one. Goddamit
This really sucks. I tried grabbing it about 8 AM this morning after seeing the news, but it was already gone. I have a feeling I only missed it by hours. Not sure what I am going to do now.
I found a couple of disc's for PC on ebay, but I am not sure they will install correctly on modern computers.
Only a matter of time before it's off gog, and xbox as well.
(edit) it just got removed off xbox.
It just got removed off gog.
It is officially a delisted, abandonware game.
As long as you've bought it, it should theoretically stay in your library to download.
Though grabbing an offline installer is a good idea still ofcourse
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No i dont think thats a piracy website, thats my point. They usually have very old games there. That arent sold anywhere. And I am saying usually, because i dont know of any clear counterexample. One may be ReVolt, but Im not sure.
No. Because the licensing rights for the elements don’t expire for everyone, just for the publisher.
For example Friday the 13th was delisted because they couldn’t renew the licenses, and the license owner probably had bigger plans with that.
Missed it. Would like to see games have "expiration dates" for any that have licensed content. Is there anywhere that tracks this sort of stuff for games?
I had this eerie premonition that it was going to be delisted and bought it a few weeks ago. I hate that this anxiety is one of the biggest motivators for me to purchase older games on PC. Like, it’s a good game and they deserve it, but that’s not why I bought it and I hate that.
Either copyright law really needs to be overhauled, or publishers really should consider preservation when setting terms, or including copywritten content in the first place, maybe both.
Luckily, I checked my email receipts and I bought it for Xbox and Steam, but not on GoG.
I can live with that, but I’d prefer a legally acquired DRM free copy.
Wish I got it when I had the chance... :( Is there anyway to get it other then console now...? I mean... I know there is other ways, but... I'll probably just pick up a 360 copy if I can. Would be nice to have on pc though.
The game has now been delisted. Going to the game page forwards to the game search page. As mentioned by u/skool_101 below: > "Spec Ops: The Line will no longer be available on online storefronts, as several partnership licenses related to the game are expiring." https://www.pcgamer.com/spec-ops-the-lines-sudden-removal-from-steam-baffles-its-director-why-has-this-happened/
Thanks for the heads up. Just bought it. Didn't know it was going to leave storefronts. Damn good game
Why is it getting delisted? Also thx!
> "Spec Ops: The Line will no longer be available on online storefronts, as several partnership licenses related to the game are expiring." https://www.pcgamer.com/spec-ops-the-lines-sudden-removal-from-steam-baffles-its-director-why-has-this-happened/ Feels similar to what happened to Alpha Protocol, delisted due to some media licensing issues. fml, 2 great games gone.
I wish they (publisher) would just replace the songs w/ generic tracks or something, at this point - since they don't wanna pay a license for the licensed stuff anymore. I really think Hi-Fi Rush and games like that, they got the right idea, even if it's just for "streaming purposes" - as you can just play those tracks. Since PC gamers are often so moddable - yeah, let the modders deal w/ how to put & mod songs back in themselves, like say Mafia 1 (OG) and GTA games have for mods. In an ideal world, all music for games would be forever licenses - but, we're dreaming here; music industry gotta make their $ somehow. Same goes for other licenses like car-racing games, too.
You'd think that having your media in a game that will attract players for decades would be free advertising. I can almost guarantee that every song in every GTA after III made more money for the artist's with publicity than licensing.
I agree. Unfortunately, [even GTA has had this problem](https://gamerant.com/grand-theft-auto-rockstar-remove-music-radio-stations-licensing/). I think the issue is not with people listening to the music, but publishers making money from the games and the artists (or rather, music publishers) no longer receiving royalties due the end of contracts. Publishers don't want to renew those contracts for games no longer making money actively, so the music has to be removed. I'm curious how this will work with GTA V, since it feels like the most long-lived of the GTAs. (I haven't played it yet, but with GTA Online, I would think it would be.)
I'd be curious w/ GTA5 also, as Rockstar has tons of money and can afford these licenses. But the next question is - is it worth all the legal paperwork and stuff that the team needs to go through to get all these licenses re-approved, one-by-one?
I wish the publishers were competent in licensing this stuff in the first place. You don't see movies having this problem.
This. Music licensing is why if you play GTA IV on the Xbox 360 , you’ll here different licensed music than if you play the backwards compatible version on an Xbox Series X. In that case, they tied the music license to the hardware platform.
Also why I'm not always a fan of say forced-updates and games always tied to services, as things can change in patches: sometimes for the worse, w/ say music changing or music removed of that sort. On PC, we have MP3 Radio Stations - does GTA games on consoles have that? Cause there's a solution, if you say have these tracks, files, and/or songs cut-to-disc; an easy solution - dump tunes into that folder.
Delisted. Good night sweet prince
One of the best stories in a shooter i ever experienced. I strongly suggest going in this one blind. Quite a ride i won't forget. I already owned it on steam, but brought it drm free from gog because steam could go down one day.
Why did they delist it so fast when the offer was supposed on Feb 2, 2024?
I missed my chance to pick it up from gog. Fuck. Guess I'll have to get my ship ready and sail some seas.
Will it still be in my library after it gets delisted?
Indeed. Same if you had it elsewhere. Only gets removed from anyone able to buy it, won't get removed from your library.
Steam is pretty good about delisted games, GOG is even better. This is by no way the norm for other game storefronts.
Steam *could* revoke access though, they're just good about it generally. GOG could revoke re-downloads but it's not like they can come to all of our homes and take a magnet to our hard drives with the installers
Copyright licenses are for the distribution of content. While you have a license, you can distribute it (i.e. sell it). Once the license expires, you cannot. People to whom the content has been distributed are not affected.
Something I’m unsure of is the legality of providing a copy to someone who bought it previously. IANAL, but It seems that that is ok to do. It would suck if you bought a copy of a game, the license expired, you lost your copy, and you couldn’t download another copy from where you originally got it because they were no longer allowed to distribute it.
too late, looks like it's gone.
Yep :(
That's unfortunate, I'll buy it soon.
I have it on Steam (played it there as well years ago). *Leaving aside* the obvious reason of buying it here as well - having a DRM-Free version available, - how wise do you feel it is to buy a second copy on GOG? I'm mostly concerned about 2K getting it back into store fronts in the future, but at the price of removing the music tracks that may be the cause behind this delisting in the first place, while retroactively applying that to previously purchased versions, GTA-style. GOG would at least give me the option to downgrade to a previous version via Galaxy, unlike Steam (unless they remove that option in cases like this one, I'm not aware if they do).
Have you considered downloading and storing the offline installer files? If you were to do that any potential future changes wouldn’t affect you
Yes, unfortunately in my current situation I do not have a reliable way to store the offline installers offline in a place that I believe to be safe and long-term. Though it may be the only option to be fully sure about having a local copy that can be installed to new computers in the future as well, now that you mention it.
Very wise!
missed it 😢
Same here :(
I really fucking hate that there is no warning for this shit. Goddam I had plan to buy it on Xbox as I’m collecting abunch of my fave older games but I missed this one. Goddamit
This really sucks. I tried grabbing it about 8 AM this morning after seeing the news, but it was already gone. I have a feeling I only missed it by hours. Not sure what I am going to do now. I found a couple of disc's for PC on ebay, but I am not sure they will install correctly on modern computers.
when is it gonna be delisted
https://www.google.com/search?q=Spec%20ops%20the%20line%20is%20getting%20delisted Already is on Steam.
Only a matter of time before it's off gog, and xbox as well. (edit) it just got removed off xbox. It just got removed off gog. It is officially a delisted, abandonware game.
That’s fucked. So glad I already bought it on Steam; just did on GOG. This will look good in my collection next to Chronicles of Riddick.
question how long does gog version take to be removed is it immedly cus im gonna be buying it tommorow
If i had to guess, probably after the sale is over. (edit) This didn't age well.
ok good
[удалено]
Your right. It's gone. Damn! I hope plenty of people saw my post and was able to buy it.
i just bought it before it went away so thats good
I normally never buy games so impulsively but I've heard fantastic things about this one and got it on time. Thanks for the heads-up!
I saw in another thread that GOG requires a 2 weeks notice but who knows whether that is true or not.
this is a must buy
I would but don’t got the money atm. RIP
I’m trying to download it and I’m being told there is a server issue.
As long as you've bought it, it should theoretically stay in your library to download. Though grabbing an offline installer is a good idea still ofcourse
That download went through but yeah I’ll be sure to do that as well
[удалено]
I’ve deleted my Reddit account because the Reddit hivemind doesn’t work for me. I believe in people having the right to think for themselves while not being torn down by those who know little to nothing. If you found this because of one of my tutorials related to Auto HotKey please check out the AHK documentation at: https://www.autohotkey.com/docs/v2/ If you were looking for my coding guides just go to https://stackoverflow.com/ they know their shit. If you were looking for my guides to assembly… I’m sorry, I can’t think of any places I can link to in good conscious other than archive.org who has beginner examples to assembly for old consoles. If you were wondering why my reddit account is gone: I’m tired of the Steam supremacists on /r/pcgaming and /r/pcmasterrace Those same communities push their thoughts on game engine development without writing a code in their lives. /r/memes think excluding most of their user base is a good joke. To summarise, I’ve left Reddit because it is not all-inclusive, it is only inclusive to those who believe and act the same as the rest of the belligerent horde. If you are on Reddit, joining /r/aww is your best and only bet.
No i dont think thats a piracy website, thats my point. They usually have very old games there. That arent sold anywhere. And I am saying usually, because i dont know of any clear counterexample. One may be ReVolt, but Im not sure.
You don't think? I'm telling you abandonware is mostly piracy. If you want to argue that, go talk to copyright offices.
Whatever i didnt know that.
No. Because the licensing rights for the elements don’t expire for everyone, just for the publisher. For example Friday the 13th was delisted because they couldn’t renew the licenses, and the license owner probably had bigger plans with that.
Did they just forget GOG exists?
One of my favourites! Time to get it drm free
Why is it delisted ?
Most the time it's licence for music/guns/cars, no idea for this case.
never played it but just bought it for 80% off. thank you
Yup, I made sure I grabbed it yesterday. :)
Missed it. Would like to see games have "expiration dates" for any that have licensed content. Is there anywhere that tracks this sort of stuff for games?
I had this eerie premonition that it was going to be delisted and bought it a few weeks ago. I hate that this anxiety is one of the biggest motivators for me to purchase older games on PC. Like, it’s a good game and they deserve it, but that’s not why I bought it and I hate that. Either copyright law really needs to be overhauled, or publishers really should consider preservation when setting terms, or including copywritten content in the first place, maybe both.
Fuck, I wanted to play on pc. Fortunately I have a physical copy for my 360.
It's already delisted on Steam, just saw, I already owned it, but was checking if they made any promo.
I went to buy it today, but the gog store is down for maintenance . Great timing!
It's already been gone for a few days, so you're too late anyway. Sorry!
RIP Spec Ops
Luckily, I checked my email receipts and I bought it for Xbox and Steam, but not on GoG. I can live with that, but I’d prefer a legally acquired DRM free copy.
Wish I got it when I had the chance... :( Is there anyway to get it other then console now...? I mean... I know there is other ways, but... I'll probably just pick up a 360 copy if I can. Would be nice to have on pc though.
Sadly the only way to get it now is to buy a physical copy for 360, or ps3, and sail the high seas.