0
0
Warner Bros. Discovery Removing Games from Adult Swim Games Subsidiary
Warner Bros. Discovery is reportedly planning to remove a total of 16 games from its subsidiary, Adult Swim Games, from various gaming markets. Developers affected by this decision have been informed that the games will not be transferred back to them, nor will they have the opportunity to sell them through other means in the future.
The Plight of Small Radios Big Televisions
A recent report highlighted the case of Small Radios Big Televisions, a game available on Steam and PlayStation created by a sole developer. This developer received a notice from Warner Bros. Discovery stating that the game would be “retired” within a period of 60 days, leaving the future of the game in uncertainty.
Matt Kain, the developer of Adult Swim Games’ Fist Puncher, shared a similar experience, stating that they also received a “retired” notice for their game. When they requested Warner Bros. Discovery to transfer the game to their studio’s Steam publisher account to keep it active, their request was denied. Despite the straightforward process of initiating a transfer, the company decided not to transfer the games back to the original creators.
The decision not to transfer the games back to the developers has raised concerns about the potential loss of player data, discussions, progress, and other content associated with the games. Kickstarter backers and the development studios themselves could face challenges if they attempt to release the games independently in the future.
Challenges Faced by Adult Swim Games
Adult Swim Games has not released any new games since 2020, and its parent company has indicated a challenging quarter ahead, particularly after the performance of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. The overall strategy of Warner Bros. Discovery includes removing titles and restricting access to content for various reasons, with a recent focus on consolidating its offerings for potential tax advantages.
Recent actions by Warner Bros. Discovery include canceling films and TV shows and closing down studios like Rooster Teeth. This shift in strategy has raised questions about the future of Adult Swim Games and its remaining titles.
Developer Responses
Developers impacted by the delisting of Adult Swim Games titles have expressed frustration over the lack of cooperation from Warner Bros. Discovery in transferring ownership of their games. Despite simple transfer processes, representatives from the company have cited logistical constraints and limited resources as reasons for denying these requests.
As developers seek to navigate this situation, concerns remain about preserving the community content, reviews, and patch notes associated with the affected games. The need to re-release games without attributing credit to Adult Swim Games has also sparked debate among developers.
As the situation continues to unfold, questions remain about the fate of the 16 games included in the Adult Swim Games bundle on Steam and the future of remaining titles developed under the Adult Swim Games umbrella.
For more information, you can visit the original article on Polygon.
Image/Photo credit: source url
