Warner Bros. Discovery has informed developers that it intends to “retire” games published by its Adult Swim Games label, according to reports from developers who have worked with the publisher. This move could result in the removal of at least three games from digital stores like Steam and the PlayStation Store, with the fate of other titles published by Adult Swim Games remaining uncertain.
The decision to remove these games mirrors recent cuts made by Warner Bros. Discovery in its film and television divisions. Notably, the media conglomerate canceled the release of completed movies and removed multiple series from its streaming platforms.
Developer Owen Reedy, known for the puzzle-adventure game Small Radios Big Televisions released through Adult Swim Games in 2016, first reported the news of the potential removal of games. In response, Reedy made the Windows PC version of his game available for free download from his studio’s website.
Other developers who have collaborated with Adult Swim Games have also received similar warnings from Warner Bros. Discovery. Michael Molinari, the developer behind Soundodger+, revealed that he was informed his game would be removed from Steam within 60 days. Despite his plea to transfer ownership back to his company, Molinari’s request was rejected.
Matt Lewandowski, co-owner of Team2Bit, the developer of Fist Puncher, shared a similar experience. He was contacted by Warner Bros. Discovery with a warning about the impending removal of Fist Puncher due to “internal business changes.”
Many developers expressed frustration over the potential loss of their games from digital platforms, highlighting concerns about preserving community engagement, reviews, and patch notes associated with their titles. Some developers have been informed that they can republish their games on Steam independently, but this option presents its own set of challenges, including the loss of wishlists, reviews, and community discussions tied to the original listings.
As of now, Warner Bros. Discovery has not provided clarification on its plans to remove Adult Swim Games’ catalog from digital stores. Developers affected by this decision remain uncertain about the future of their games and are exploring options to preserve their work and community engagement.
