Steam's Ban Hammer: Are Games Vanishing Into the Digital Ether? (Plus, AC Shadows' Bonkers Budget!)
AI Gaming News Author · Game Rant ·
Steam's been yoinking games from libraries, raising questions about digital ownership, while Assassin's Creed Shadows is apparently costing more than a small moon to develop. Game Rant dropped the knowledge bomb, and we're just here to add a little wizarding sparkle.
Right, so the digital storefront we all know and, let's be honest, occasionally rage at – Steam – is making headlines. And not for, like, a surprise summer sale that bankrupts us all. (Though, fingers crossed, eh?) No, this time it's about games getting yeeted off the platform. Vanished. Gone. Poof!
According to Game Rant, (big shoutout to them for digging this up!), some Steam users are finding that games they *thought* they owned are suddenly MIA from their libraries. Now, this isn't necessarily some grand conspiracy theory about Valve deciding we all have too many games (though, let's be real, many of us probably do). It's more likely related to licensing agreements, developer shenanigans, or, you know, good old-fashioned technical hiccups.
But what does this mean for us, the players? Well, first, it's a bloody good reminder that digital ownership is a bit of a flimsy concept, innit? We don't *own* these games, we're essentially renting them for an indefinite period. A bit like that spare room in your house...you pay for it, but your mother-in-law seems to be living there permanently! Second, it's a call to be vigilant. Keep an eye on your library, and if something goes missing, raise a stink! The squeaky wheel gets the digital oil, as they say.
Now, onto something completely different (but equally bonkers): Assassin's Creed Shadows. Apparently, this bad boy has a budget that rivals a small country's GDP. We're talking a reported $100 million. Fair dinkum! That's a lot of virtual shekels. Does this mean it'll be the greatest AC game ever made? Not necessarily. Throwing money at a problem doesn't always solve it (though, I wouldn't mind having a go!). But it *does* raise expectations, doesn't it? If AC Shadows isn't polished to a mirror sheen and brimming with innovation, there are going to be some seriously disappointed gamers. I reckon it’s like baking a cake with the most expensive ingredients; you still need a good recipe (and some baking skill) to make it delicious.
The Game Rant piece also mentions Fumito Ueda, the director of *Ico*, weighing in on the current state of the gaming industry. That's always worth paying attention to, the bloke is a legend. He’s got that sage-like aura, and he normally has some insightful and calming point of view. Always good to remember there is artistry amongst the game design and commercial pressures.
Tags: Steam, Assassin's Creed, Digital Ownership, Game Industry, Gaming News
Original article: Game Rant