A number of iconic first-person shooter (FPS) games have been delisted from digital platforms, making them largely inaccessible to modern audiences. Among these are notable titles like Vietcong, Wolfenstein (2009), and Unreal Tournament. The trend underscores significant challenges in preserving video game history.
Reasons for Delisting
Games like Battlefield: Bad Company 2, which was delisted by EA in April 2023, highlight a recurring theme: complexities around licensing and dwindling demand often lead companies to withdraw older titles. The No One Lives Forever series faces licensing complications, keeping it from mainstream digital stores, despite its critical acclaim.
Historic Features and Fan Legacy
The removed titles often boasted unique features, such as the Corp (1990) offering cyberpunk elements alongside FPS mechanics. Tribes 2 still thrives in modding communities despite its delisting, thanks to its vertical gameplay and community-driven extension as freeware.
Physical copies of these games may still be found, but their digital absence poses challenges for both new gamers and preservationists aiming to keep these titles accessible.
