Licensing
Ongoing coverage on Licensing.
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PlayStation triggers game preservation alarm bells as users find new PS5 and PS4 digital purchases have a 30-day lockout timer: "This can screw customers now AND in the future"
Sony has reportedly introduced a 30-day lockout timer for new digital PS5 and PS4 game purchases, requiring users to connect to the internet periodically to verify licenses. This change has sparked significant concern among players and preservation advocates regarding long-term game ownership and accessibility, especially in the event of server shutdowns. While Sony has not officially commented, some reports suggest it may be an intentional 'technical feature' or a result of an exploit fix.
Forza Horizon 4 Players Left Stranded After Steam Delisting Catches Them Off Guard
Forza Horizon 4 has been delisted from digital storefronts including Steam and Xbox Store due to expired music licensing deals, leaving players unable to purchase it legally. While Microsoft had announced the December 15th deadline and offered a sale, many players were caught off guard. This situation highlights the challenges of digital game preservation when licenses expire, making it difficult for new players to access older titles.
City Connection Co., Ltd. Opens Legendary Jaleco and Irem Libraries for Global Licensing Partnerships
City Connection Co., Ltd., the exclusive worldwide rights holder for the Jaleco and Irem game libraries, is launching a global licensing initiative. The company will attend Licensing Expo 2026 to seek partners for game development, merchandise, and cross-media collaborations, aiming to revitalize classic titles like R-TYPE, Ninja Spirit, and Bases Loaded. President Nobuhiro Yoshikawa expressed enthusiasm for working with partners passionate about gaming heritage.
League costreamers want paid licenses to break free from broadcast chains
A debate is intensifying within the League of Legends esports scene regarding costreaming policies, with a proposal suggesting costreamers pay for licenses to gain full creative freedom. This model aims to resolve tensions between official broadcasts and independent creators by offering a tiered system that compensates Riot Games for its production value while allowing popular streamers unrestricted content.
Lana Del Rey to Sing Title Track for New James Bond Game 007: First Light
Pop icon Lana Del Rey has been confirmed to perform the title track for the upcoming James Bond game, 007: First Light. This collaboration highlights a trend of developers leveraging A-list talent to create premium gaming experiences. The game is set to be a PlayStation 5 exclusive, with Del Rey's atmospheric musical style expected to enhance the cinematic spy thriller atmosphere.
SDL (Simple DirectMedia Layer) ban AI / LLM code contributions
The Simple DirectMedia Layer (SDL) library has officially banned the use of AI, including Large Language Models like ChatGPT and Copilot, for generating code contributions. While AI can be used to identify issues, human authorship is required for solutions to ensure code compatibility and prevent the introduction of licensing conflicts or inaccurate problem reporting.
Star Trek: Resurgence Will Likely Be Delisted Very Soon
Publisher Brunerhouse has announced that Star Trek: Resurgence will be delisted from digital storefronts due to a license expiration. While the exact date is unconfirmed, the game is still available for purchase on the Nintendo Switch eShop and PC via Steam. Existing owners will retain access to the game.
Star Trek: Resurgence to be delisted from the Nintendo eShop
Star Trek: Resurgence will be delisted from the Nintendo eShop due to an expiring license agreement, with no specific removal date announced. The narrative game, which first launched on Nintendo Switch in August 2025, will no longer be available for purchase digitally. Other titles like Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 and Aliens: Fireteam Elite have also recently been delisted.
The best crypto gaming: Finding reliable platforms that let you play safely - Walkthrough, Tips, Review
This guide helps players find reliable and safe cryptocurrency gaming platforms by outlining key considerations. It emphasizes the importance of checking licensing from reputable authorities like Curacao eGaming or UKGC, ensuring full cryptocurrency support including popular coins like Bitcoin and Ethereum, and examining the variety and software providers of available games. The article also warns against unrealistic bonuses and poor website design as red flags for potential scams.
Only 2 years after release Star Trek: Resurgence is being delisted
Dramatic Labs has announced that Star Trek: Resurgence will be delisted from sale due to an expired license, despite its recent release. The narrative-driven adventure game, created by former Telltale Games developers, will remain accessible to existing owners on Steam. This delisting raises concerns about game preservation.
Star Trek: Resurgence Won't Live Long And Prosper, Being Delisted In Under Three Years
Star Trek: Resurgence is being delisted from digital storefronts like Steam and Xbox due to licensing rights issues. While still available on the Epic Games Store, Nintendo eShop, and PlayStation Store, the game will no longer be offered for sale. Players who have already purchased the title can still access it, and physical copies remain an option.
Disney delists 14 Steam games without warning, including a Star Wars strategy game whose scale has never been duplicated
Disney has removed 14 of its older games from Steam without prior notice, including the highly regarded Star Wars: Rebellion strategy game. While the store pages remain live, the purchase buttons have been disabled, making these titles officially unavailable for new players. The reasons for the delistings are currently unknown, but speculation points to potential licensing issues or business decisions.
Disney yank a bunch of games from Steam, including bonafide classics Star Wars: Dark Forces, Outlaws and High School Musical 3: Senior Year Dance
Disney has removed 15 games from Steam, including classic titles like Star Wars: Dark Forces and Outlaws, along with other Disney-branded and 20th Century Games titles. This marks the second wave of delistings this year, with licensing issues being the likely cause. Some of these games, like Dark Forces, have received remasters.
Classic family board game Labyrinth gets a KPop Demon Hunters remake
Ravensburger is releasing a new version of the classic board game Labyrinth, titled Labyrinth: KPop Demon Hunters, set for a summer 2026 release. This marks the latest in a series of Labyrinth crossovers, with previous versions based on popular franchises like Super Mario and Harry Potter. The publisher plans further collaborations based on the KPop Demon Hunters intellectual property.
Mario & Sonic At The Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 Has Been Delisted From Switch eShop
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 has been delisted from the Nintendo Switch eShop in North America, Japan, and Australia, with other regions expected to follow. SEGA confirmed the delisting, likely due to the expiration of official Olympic licenses. While physical copies remain available and the game can be redownloaded by existing owners, this marks the end of the Mario & Sonic crossover series on the Switch.
Facepunch signed a license with Valve to allow standalone releases from s&box
Facepunch Studios has signed a new licensing agreement with Valve that allows users of its Source 2-based game, s&box, to export and release their creations as standalone games on Steam royalty-free. This development, a spiritual successor to Garry's Mod, aims to foster a diverse ecosystem of player-made and independent titles. The company is also working on its own licensing framework for developers and plans to pilot the feature with select individuals.
Game of Thrones slot leads Blueprint’s HBO Gaming Push
Blueprint Gaming has launched a Game of Thrones-themed slot game, marking the first in a planned multi-title series with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences based on Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon. The game features layered mechanics tied to Westeros factions and a progression system leading to the Iron Throne Super Bonus and Iron Throne Spins. Blueprint Gaming plans further titles from these HBO series.
Ziff Davis announces new IGN France partnership, as part of international licencing expansion
Ziff Davis, owner of IGN Entertainment, has partnered with European media group eMense to operate IGN France. This move is part of Ziff Davis's broader international licensing expansion, which also includes a new French edition of CNET. The partnership aims to leverage eMense's expertise in competitive European markets to grow IGN France's reach and value.
Neopets TTRPG In Trouble, License With Geekify Terminated
World of Neopia has terminated its license with Geekify Inc. due to the troubled development of the crowdfunded Neopets TTRPG. The tabletop game, which raised over $400,000 on Kickstarter, deviated from Neopets' family-friendly image by emphasizing combat and including unapproved subject matter. Development is now considered dead, and backers are advised to seek refunds from Geekify.
GoldenEye 007: How a ‘Rookie Team’ Created Gaming’s Most Beloved Accident
GoldenEye 007, developed by a rookie team at Rare for the Nintendo 64, became a landmark title that redefined console first-person shooters with its innovative multiplayer and gameplay mechanics. Despite its immense success and lasting influence, the game remains largely unavailable due to complex licensing issues involving Nintendo, MGM, and other rights holders, trapping it in a state of preservation but inaccessibility.
