2K Sports and Limited Run Games have both announced significant game delistings for WWE, NBA and Jurassic Park titles, set to take place in the coming weeks.
It’s the latest blow for video game preservation efforts, with the loss of one particular classic games collection feeling particularly egregious.
WWE, NBA, Jurassic Park games delisted – quick links
Limited Run Games announces end of availability for Jurassic Park Classic Games Collection
The first major announcement, posted on 12 February, was the removal of the Jurassic Park Classic Games Collection from digital storefronts.
As shared by publisher Limited Run Games, the game will no longer be avaiable for purchase digitally after 31 March. Players who’ve already purchased and downloaded the game will be able to continue to play, and will maintain access to downloads – but anybody who does not purchase the game prior to this date will no longer have the chance.
‘In the past, we learned how important it is to provide plenty of notice for changes like this, so we’re committed to being as open and transparent as possible,’ Limited Run said on Steam. ‘Our goal is to give fans every opportunity to grab the game before it’s too late.’
The irony here is the Jurassic Park Classic Games Collection was released to save classic games from being lost to time. The collection includes an array of classic Jurassic Park adaptations, enhanced for modern consoles.
It seems the core goal of the collection has been thwarted, as the games will now once again disappear, following their planned delisting.
Limited Run Games has not outlined the reasons for this disappearance, although it’s worth noting licensing issues are usually to blame, as many licensed adaptations like this are subjected to time-limited, restrictive contract terms.
2K announces the delisting of WWE 2K Battlegrounds and NBA 2K Playgrounds 2
A day after Limited Run Games’ announcement, 2K shared its own series of delistings, for WWE 2K Battlegrounds and NBA 2K Playgrounds 2.
As reported by Delisted Games, the news was shared quietly, with notices popping up on various digital stores. Per these notices, both games will be delisted on 20 February, and their online services will cease to function from 9 July.
WWE 2K Battlegrounds was released in 2020, and has enjoyed six years of service. NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 released in 2018, and has managed a more respectable eight years.
As with Jurassic Park Classic Games Collection, no firm reason for delisting was cited, although it’s worth noting licensing issues more than likely come into play here too, particularly given both games feature the likenesses of real athletes. Typically, the inclusion of real-life people comes with its own set of contract terms.
Video game preservation is an increasingly tough challenge
With the departure of these WWE, NBA, and Jurassic Park games, the challenge of preservation is only growing. For years now, there has been a concerted push by historians, archivists, and critics to maintain preservation of all games, for their cultural, artistic, and technological value.
Games exist as artefacts of their eras, and they all have inherent value.
Licensing and online service requirements make preserving games incredibly difficult, with tough restrictions often leading to games being ‘lost’ to time.
The solution to this issue remains very unclear, but that won’t stop advocates pushing for change.
