The recent news of Warner Bros. Discovery delisting games from digital storefronts has sent shockwaves through the gaming community. Developers of titles like Soundodger+ and Fist Puncher have been notified that their games are set to disappear, following in the footsteps of Small Radios Big Televisions. The common thread among these games is that they were all published by Adult Swim Games, now under the ownership of Warner Bros. Discovery. While some developers have been informed of the impending delisting, others remain in the dark, unsure of the fate of their games.
The handling of the delisting process by Warner Bros. Discovery has raised concerns among developers. Matt Kain, developer of Fist Puncher, reached out to Warner Bros. requesting the transfer of the game to their Steam publisher account to keep it active. However, the request was denied with the explanation that a universal decision had been made not to transfer games back to the original studios due to resource constraints. Similarly, Studio Bean, the developers of Soundodger+, faced resistance when requesting a simple transfer process. Warner Bros. refused, insisting that no games be transferred back, leaving developers frustrated and uncertain about the future of their creations.
The impending delisting has brought about panic and uncertainty among developers whose games were published by Adult Swim. Landon Podbielski, creator of Duck Game, expressed feelings of unease despite not receiving any official notice yet. The potential repercussions of the delisting have left developers like Podbielski feeling sick and helpless. Double Fine’s Lee Petty highlighted the detrimental impact of delisting on small developers, emphasizing the potential harm to their livelihoods. The uncertainty and lack of communication from Warner Bros. Discovery have left many developers scrambling to find solutions and ensure the preservation of their work.
As developers face the looming threat of delisting, some have taken proactive measures to preserve their games. Mr. Podunkian, working on Sunkissed City, expressed willingness to release a source-port of ESCAPE FROM PUPPY DEATH FACTORY for free if necessary. Others, like John Gottschalk, designer of Westerados: Double Barrelled, are exploring options to transfer their games from Warner Bros. Discovery. Despite the challenges presented by the delisting process, developers are determined to find ways to safeguard their creations and continue their work in the face of uncertainty.
The implications of Warner Bros. Discovery’s decision to delist games extend beyond individual developers to the broader gaming community. While some developers have avoided the threat of delisting, many others remain vulnerable. The uncertainty surrounding the fate of these games raises concerns about the future of digital preservation and the impact on developers’ livelihoods. As the situation unfolds, the need for support and advocacy for affected developers becomes increasingly apparent. The decisions made by large corporations like Warner Bros. Discovery have lasting implications for developers and the gaming industry as a whole. Moving forward, it is essential to prioritize the preservation of creative work and support developers in navigating challenges posed by delisting and corporate decisions.
Leave a Reply