In a surprising move that has stirred significant discussion in the gaming community, Sega announced the upcoming delisting of 60 classic games from Steam, effectively removing one of the few legitimate sources of classic game ROMs from the internet.
Copyright Duration and Digital Rights
The announcement has ignited a heated debate about copyright duration and digital ownership rights. As reflected in community discussions, this move highlights broader concerns about the longevity of digital game preservation.
This kind of behaviour just increases the case that copyright is too long.
Digital Ownership vs. Licensing
The delisting has raised important questions about the nature of digital game ownership. According to recent developments, Steam has been forced to clarify that users are essentially purchasing licenses rather than owning the games outright. This distinction becomes particularly relevant as these classic titles face removal, highlighting the precarious nature of digital game collections.
Business Strategy Questions
The community has expressed confusion about the business logic behind this decision. Some shareholders and community members are questioning how removing these games from sale serves anyone's interests, especially considering these titles have been available for over 14 years.
Impact on Game Preservation
The delisting is particularly significant because these versions offered something unique: legally obtainable ROM files that could be used with emulators of choice. With their removal, the options for legally accessing these classic games become even more limited, raising concerns about game preservation and accessibility.
Future Implications
While Sega hasn't provided explicit reasons for the delisting, speculation suggests this might be part of a larger strategy. The timing coincides with Sega's Power Surge anniversary, hinting at possible new classic game collections or re-releases in the future.
The community will have until December 6, 2023, at 11:59 PM PT to purchase these titles before they're removed from Steam. This situation serves as a reminder of the importance of game preservation and the ongoing challenges faced in maintaining access to classic gaming history in the digital age.
Source: GamesRadar - Sega's killing off one of the only sources of legal ROMs