Recently, Warner Bros., the owners of the now-defunct Adult Swim Games publishing label, have reached out to some developers to return ownership of their game’s Steam pages. This news comes as a surprise to many, as back in March, Warner Bros. had initially stated that all Adult Swim Games were going to be delisted from the platform. Thankfully, developers like Landon Podbielski, Owen Deery, and Super Mega Team have shared their positive experiences regarding this reversal.
Landon Podbielski, the developer of Duck Game, expressed his relief on X by announcing, “Duck Game is safe!! The game is being returned to corptron along with its store pages on all platforms.” Similarly, Owen Deery decided to make his game, Small Radios Big Televisions, free to download when faced with the possibility of it being removed from sale. However, he later confirmed that ownership and store listings would be returning to him. This positive outcome has sparked hope among developers who were previously concerned about the fate of their games.
Initially, Warner Bros. had informed developers like Matt Kain and Studio Bean that they would not be transferring the games back to the original studios due to a lack of resources. However, the recent decision to return ownership of the Steam pages indicates a significant shift in strategy. This change of heart has been well-received by the gaming community, as it ensures that developers retain control over their creations.
Adult Swim Games, known for publishing popular titles like Robot Unicorn Attack and Jazzpunk, faced restructuring by its parent company in late 2020, leading to its defunct status. While Adult Swim did not claim intellectual property rights to the games they published, they did control the Steam store pages. The potential delisting of these pages could have erased years-worth of Steam reviews, setting developers back significantly within the marketplace. The decision to transfer ownership of the Steam store pages highlights the importance of maintaining developer autonomy in the gaming industry.
Overall, Warner Bros.’s recent actions in returning ownership of game’s Steam pages to developers showcase a positive step towards supporting creativity and innovation within the gaming community. By acknowledging the value of developer autonomy and control, Warner Bros. has instilled hope among developers who rely on platforms like Steam to showcase their work. This reversal marks a significant win for developers and emphasizes the importance of collaboration and support within the gaming industry.
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