delisted Archives

AppWizard

March 29, 2025

It still makes me uneasy that my hundreds of Steam games can’t be passed on when I die, at least not without violating the EULA

Shoot Many Robots was delisted from Steam at the request of its publisher, but it remains in the owner's Steam library. Steam's terms of service classify bequeathing an account as account sharing, limiting legitimate access for others. The gaming industry is experiencing volatility with frequent shutdowns of live service games, leading to calls for prioritizing game preservation, exemplified by the 'Stop Killing Games' campaign. GOG offers DRM-free titles and allows users to bequeath their libraries to heirs with proof of death, but acknowledges the lack of legal guidance on video game preservation. There is a growing demand for more robust frameworks governing game ownership and sustainable digital alternatives for future generations.

AppWizard

March 24, 2025

3 times Microsoft has tried (and failed) to reinvent PC gaming

Microsoft has faced criticism from the PC gaming community due to frequent Windows updates causing crashes and altering features. The Universal Windows Platform (UWP), introduced in the mid-2010s to unify operating systems, faced backlash from gamers for restricting access to game files and complicating third-party software use. Many developers bypassed UWP, leading Microsoft to reintroduce Win32 games by 2019. DirectX 10 was exclusive to Windows Vista, resulting in only 87 games being developed for it due to the unpopularity of Vista and lack of backward compatibility. Games for Windows Live (GFWL) aimed to bring Xbox Live to PC but became frustrating due to its closed ecosystem, leading to accessibility issues and unplayable titles after server shutdowns. Microsoft has since improved the gaming experience on Windows, focusing on user choice and compatibility, with features like Auto HDR and DirectStorage integrated into Windows 11.

AppWizard

March 8, 2025

Hundreds Of Delisted Xbox 360 Games Now Have The Potential To Return On PC

XenonRecomp is a software tool that converts Xbox 360 executables into C++ code, allowing for the potential porting of Xbox 360 games to PC. This process is unofficial and may face challenges from original publishers. While some games, like Sonic Unleashed, have already been ported, the complexity of the process may limit the number of successful transitions. Many Xbox 360 titles were delisted from the marketplace when the old Xbox Store was closed, and XenonRecomp may be a key method for preserving these games. Xbox head Phil Spencer has shown interest in exploring options for delisted Xbox 360 games.

AppWizard

March 1, 2025

You Can Buy A Ton Of Delisted Steam Games, Like Deadpool, On Amazon

Over 30 delisted Steam PC games are now available for purchase on Amazon, providing gamers with access to titles previously thought lost. The availability of these games, which include notable titles like Family Guy: Back to the Multiverse and Dark Souls: Prepare To Die Edition, is uncertain, and they are being sold at full retail prices. A user successfully purchased a digital copy of Deadpool from Amazon and received a working Steam code, highlighting potential savings compared to market prices. These codes are only valid for U.S. residents, and the longevity of the offer may depend on the depletion of existing codes in Amazon's inventory.

AppWizard

December 21, 2024

Free games to grab over the holidays

The Epic Games Store is offering free games daily until January 1, including titles like Vampire Survivors and Astrea: Six Sided Oracles. Diablo 4's free trial for the Spiritborn class is available on Battle.net until January 3. The free 1v1 shooter Straftat is gaining popularity on Steam. The hidden object game 100 Christmas Cats is available on Steam, allowing players to locate cats for achievements. GOG's Winter Sale Calendar features gifts until December 31, including Chicken Assassin: Reloaded for free. The Virtual Interactive Fireplace offers a cozy experience for holiday visuals. Supervive, a blend of MOBA battle royale and hero shooter, is in early access on Steam. The horror shooter Betrayer has returned to GOG after being delisted from Steam. SkiFree can be downloaded from creator Chris Pirih's website. Warframe has introduced a new update featuring an alternate-history '90s boy band called "On-lyne."

AppWizard

December 12, 2024

Humble Bundle’s revoked all those Indiana Jones keys it gave away for free (even if it was already in your Steam library)

Humble Bundle mistakenly advertised Indiana Jones and the Great Circle as a free game due to a pricing error and subsequently revoked all digital keys, even from players who had activated the game. The game has been completely delisted from the Humble Bundle platform. Players expressed disappointment on social media after discovering the game was removed from their libraries. Speculation exists about potential repercussions from stakeholders like Microsoft or Zenimax regarding the distribution of the game for free.

AppWizard

December 5, 2024

GOG’s Game Preservation Effort Will Include Delisted Titles

GOG has launched a "Good Old Games" preservation program featuring an initial selection of 100 titles, ensuring they are playable on modern PCs with the latest Windows versions and graphics drivers. The program includes ongoing support for bug fixes and a support service for players encountering issues. GOG will continue to support classic titles like Warcraft and Warcraft II, even after their removal from the store by Blizzard. The initiative aims to address the challenges of game preservation, including the complexities of digital ownership and securing rights from publishers. GOG employs open-source emulators for older DOS-based games and has undertaken quality assurance processes for the titles in the program. The company plans to expand the preservation program monthly and has invested in resolving persistent issues, such as a memory leak in Dragon Age: Origins.

AppWizard

December 3, 2024

GOG expands preservation program to protect delisted games

GOG launched a preservation program for older PC games, which now includes delisted titles like Warcraft 1 and Warcraft 2. Blizzard requested the removal of these games from GOG's storefront on December 13, and GOG complied but will continue to support these titles through its preservation program. GOG guarantees ongoing technical support for users who own these delisted games, ensuring compatibility with future Windows operating systems. The program currently focuses on Windows platforms and includes other notable titles such as the first three installments of Resident Evil and Alpha Protocol. A 2023 study indicated that nearly all games released before 2010 are now inaccessible. The U.S. Copyright Office recently rejected a proposal by the Video Game History Foundation for an exemption to DMCA rules, siding with the Entertainment Software Association, which argues that preservation is the responsibility of publishers.

AppWizard

December 2, 2024

GOG Makes Big Promise On Game Preservation As Blizzard Pulls Warcraft I And II From Its Store

Blizzard Entertainment has announced the delisting of Warcraft I and II from GOG, effective December 13th, following the release of remastered versions of the games. GOG, a subsidiary of CD Projekt Red, has launched a preservation program to ensure classic PC games remain accessible and functional on modern hardware, pledging to maintain compatibility for titles that join the program, even if they are delisted. The delisting was requested by Blizzard, now part of Microsoft, which has stopped sales of the original games after launching remastered versions. GOG is offering a discount for purchases of the classic versions before removal and assures that existing owners will continue to receive updates and support.

AppWizard

November 16, 2024

Half-Life 2 gets a major 20th Anniversary Update and bundles Lost Coast with episodes —the game is now free on Steam until November 18

Half-Life 2 celebrated its 20th Anniversary with a comprehensive update on Steam, introducing free content including elements from the Lost Coast expansion and Episodes One and Two until November 18. The Orange Box bundle, which includes these titles along with Portal and Team Fortress 2, is available for .99 until November 22. Most mod support for Half-Life 2 is now integrated into the main game, and standalone store pages for expansions have been delisted. The update features a complete visual overhaul, enhancing graphics to match Lost Coast's fidelity, and introduces a new High Quality mode for improved model rendering and shadow effects. User interface improvements include compatibility with modern controllers and three and a half hours of developer commentary added to Half-Life 2.