The problem with licensed games based on established IPs is that they’re liable to be removed from sale once those licenses expire. The latest victim of this rule appears to be Stranger Things 3: The Game, and it may be because of Netflix’s own foray into gaming. According to a notice posted by developer BonusXP on Steam and GOG, the game will be removed from sale on those platforms after today, August 31.
While there has been no similar notice for PlayStation 4, it’s fair to assume the notice also applies to this platform. Stranger Things 3: The Game had a universal release across PC and consoles and is being removed from the Xbox Game Pass subscription service tomorrow too. The game’s Twitter account and official website disappeared recently, while Stranger Things content is also due to be removed from Dead By Daylight in November (though it should be noted that different license periods for different games would apply, so this is likely a coincidence).
Of course, without official notice, there is also the possibility Stranger Things 3: The Game may remain on consoles, but if you’re one of those people who is still wanting the game and haven’t purchased it from the PlayStation Store yet, we’d suggest you do so sooner rather than later. You can read the full Steam notice below:
On Aug. 31, 2021, Stranger Things 3: The Game will be removed from sale on Steam. We’re very grateful for all the Stranger Things fans that traveled back in time with us to the Summer of ’85 for this adventure through Hawkins.
If you purchased the game prior to August 31, 2021 on Steam, it will remain in your library and continue to be playable.
The reason for the removal isn’t clear although the GOG notice does mention it was removed at “the publisher’s request.” However, Stranger Things 3: The Game’s inclusion in the Netflix Gaming trial is unlikely to be a coincidence. Mobile gamers in Poland can currently try Stranger Things: 1984 and Stranger Things 3: The Game on Android as Netflix takes its first step into the world of gaming. Netflix states this is “an early stage” and they have “a lot of work to do in the coming months” before more games are included and the service is rolled out to more countries.
[Source: Steam]
