Spec Ops: The Line Devs Also Don’t Know Why The Game Was Delisted From Steam

Spec Ops: The Line has been delisted from Steam, with no explanation given from publisher 2K Games as to why the 2012 action game is no longer available to purchase on that digital marketplace. Responding to the surprise delisting, the game’s director, Cory Davis, said that it “makes no sense” to see Spec Ops: The Line taken down from Steam.

“Makes no sense –especially because the themes portrayed in Spec Ops: TheLine are more relevant now than ever,” Davis wrote in a tweet. “Why has this happened 2K [and] Steam?”

For anyone with a sudden urge to explore the dark themes and sandy action of Spec Ops: The Line, it’s not all bad news as the game can still be purchased on other platforms like GOG, the Xbox marketplace, and through key resellers.

Typically, several reasons can lead to a game being delisted, such as expired music licenses, servers shutting down, or other licensing issues. An example of this would be the removal of Activision’s Marvel games–Deadpool, Amazing Spider-Man, and more–from marketplaces due to an expired licensing agreement.

Developed by German studio Yager, Spec Ops: The Line was considered a commercial flop by 2K after it failed to reach its sales goals. In the years since then, the game has garnered acclaim for its handling of mature subject matter and approach to storytelling.