Why was Borderlands 3 removed from GeForce Now?

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

In February 2020, Borderlands 3 publisher 2K Games requested that all of its titles be pulled from Nvidia‘s GeForce Now game streaming service. This highlights some of the key challenges facing cloud gaming platforms:

Publishers Felt Lack of Consent to Include Games

Nvidia did not properly consult with game publishers and developers before adding titles to GeForce Now. In many cases, this violated licensing agreements and intellectual property rights. Publishers felt their content was being used on the service without permission.

Borderlands 3 had already sold an impressive 5 million copies in just its first 5 months across various platforms. 2K Games likely wanted to retain full control over further sales and distribution.

Disruption of Traditional Revenue Models

Game streaming services fundamentally change the economics for publishers. With cloud gaming, players do not directly purchase or download games – they effectively rent access to titles through a subscription.

This may disrupt existing sales channels and revenue models. By pulling Borderlands 3 from GeForce Now, 2K Games protected against potential loss of sales on rival platforms.

Exclusivity Deals With Competing Services

There are also rumors that some publishers have signed exclusivity deals with Google Stadia and other streaming services. These agreements may prevent games from appearing on competing platforms like GeForce Now.

For example, GTA V was suddenly removed from GeForce Now in 2020. Users speculated this was thanks to an exclusivity agreement between Rockstar Games and Stadia.

Ongoing Licensing and Innovation Challenges

The first year of GeForce Now saw over 1,200 games removed from the service due to publisher requests. Other major companies pulling titles include Xbox Game Studios, Warner Bros and Klei Entertainment.

However, Nvidia has secured opt-in partnerships with studios like EA, Ubisoft and CD Projekt Red to add their games to GeForce Now. This highlights the ongoing negotiations needed to make cloud gaming work.

As video game streaming continues evolving, licensing agreements and business models will need to adapt. Cloud services promise improved access and convenience for players, but disrupt sales and revenue for publishers. New compromises are required to allow further innovation in this space while fairly compensating content creators.

James K. Dorn, a passionate gamer deeply immersed in the world of video gaming. My journey in gaming is not just about playing; it's about exploring every facet of the games I love. I am particularly fascinated by the intricate worlds of role-playing games like "The Witcher" series and "Elder Scrolls: Skyrim," where every decision shapes the story.

As a strategy game enthusiast, I spend hours devising tactics in games like "Civilization VI" and "StarCraft II," always eager to share my strategies with fellow gamers. I'm also an ardent follower of the ever-evolving landscape of indie games, finding gems like "Hollow Knight" and "Celeste" that offer unique, compelling experiences.

My content isn't just reviews; it's about deep dives into game mechanics, storytelling, and the art of game design. I love dissecting the narratives of games like "The Last of Us" and discussing the innovative gameplay of titles like "Death Stranding."

Being at the forefront of gaming news, I eagerly anticipate and share insights on upcoming releases like the next big open-world adventure or the latest in the "Final Fantasy" series. My goal is to build a community where we not only play games but also appreciate the artistry and effort behind them. Join me in this gaming journey, where every session is an adventure, and every game is a story waiting to be told.

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