Monday, March 9th 2020
2K Games Removes Library From GeForce Now Game Streaming Service
Another one bites the dust: 2K Games has told NVIDIA that it is removing their games catalog from the GeForce Now game streaming service. Fresh out of beta little more than a month now - with a then-touted 1,000 plus games library - the green team's streaming service, which was received with good reviews and good customer feedback, is now looking ever more stale as publishers keep leaving the service in droves.
It is still unclear why publishers are quitting the streaming service, but this doesn't spell good to the future of streaming. The fact that users only need to import a copy of their already purchased game to GeForce Now can be a reason, with removed the need for gamers to re-purchase their games across multiple (mobile or non-mobile) gaming platforms. Another reason may be that publishers are fearful this streaming ability from NVIDIA could cut into sales from next-gen consoles, since users wouldn't have to upgrade their hardware to be able to play the latest and greatest, non-exclusive titles to be released for next-gen systems. Whatever the reason, this doesn't bode well for the future of NVIDIA's streaming efforts.
Publishers who have already vacated their seats on NVIDIA's GeForce Now program are the following:
Source:
Tom's Hardware
It is still unclear why publishers are quitting the streaming service, but this doesn't spell good to the future of streaming. The fact that users only need to import a copy of their already purchased game to GeForce Now can be a reason, with removed the need for gamers to re-purchase their games across multiple (mobile or non-mobile) gaming platforms. Another reason may be that publishers are fearful this streaming ability from NVIDIA could cut into sales from next-gen consoles, since users wouldn't have to upgrade their hardware to be able to play the latest and greatest, non-exclusive titles to be released for next-gen systems. Whatever the reason, this doesn't bode well for the future of NVIDIA's streaming efforts.
- Capcom
- Electronic Arts
- Konami
- Remedy
- Rockstar Games
- Square Enix
- Activision Blizzard
- Bethesda Softworks
38 Comments on 2K Games Removes Library From GeForce Now Game Streaming Service
Sad days
GF Now is actually working quite well, and they do this kinds of stuff to it.
This is focus-targeting a service since it just doesnt generate enough money...
See, movies are the real issue. I tried making star wars "locally" as a kid and it ended awful.
You are basically renting a PC to run your library of games on. Nothing else.
Have you even tried it?
The original agreement was a subscription service where the publishers would get paid by NVIDIA for subscriptions. The problems started when NVIDIA changed to "bring your own games." The Long Dark is especially telling here:
www.polygon.com/2020/3/2/21161372/nvidia-geforce-now-the-long-dark-removed
NVIDIA basically tried to piggy-back on Steam subscription licenses which the publisher never authorized them to do. This is why services like GOG can't port all games from Steam. The publisher has to greenlight that move before they do it. No greenlight means doing so would violate the publisher's copyrights/licenses.
NVIDIA did a really stupid thing by not getting publishers on board. They made up their own rules and now NVIDIA is paying the price for it by losing access.So to respond directly to this: the publishers never gave them approval to stream their games via Steam on GeForce NOW.