A fan-favorite Steam has gone completely free to get and keep forever. The only catch? It won’t be available on the digital PC gaming storefront for much longer.
Steam games aren’t removed from Steam as frequently as they’re added, usually because of licenses expiring, development issues, or issues with Steam rules. In this case, the title is slated to be delisted from Steam in a little over a week, as the developers look to take the next step in their game-making careers.
The beloved Pico Park: Classic Edition title has made the rounds with popular YouTubers and game streamers. The title was developer TECOPARK’s first Pico Park game and has since given rise to a remaster and a sequel.
Pico Park is a cooperative puzzle game for two to 10 players, featuring a recognizable colorful pixel style. Levels are designed to be tackled together, and the physics and puzzles make for some entertaining moments for friends, whether you’re playing locally or long-distance.
This year, the classic edition celebrated its 10-year anniversary. This celebration came with a bittersweet announcement: As of 19:00 PST on June 14, the title would be discontinued, and removed from the Steam storefront. Because of this, the developers decided last October to make the game completely free to get and keep forever, even when the title is no longer available to get through Steam.
This decision by TECOPARK seems to be in anticipation of another sequel in the works. The official announcement in a Steam post states that “The Pico Park series will continue, so stay tuned!“
Although Pico Park and Pico Park 2 continue to be available on Steam, the Classic Edition will be gone forever in just 10 days. Fan reaction has been mostly negative, with players leaving angry comments in the Community Hub. Fans question the devs’ reasoning, accusing them of trying to force their dedicated community to buy the next game by removing the original.
TECOPARK further explains the decision on Steam, noting that keeping the game’s servers alive for online play was simply not feasible in the long run. The developer also promises that the game will truly be available to play after it’s delisted, and not be deleted entirely (as some fans worried): “We confirmed that even after distribution ended, those who had already obtained the game would still be able to play the entire game.“
As of this writing, there are still 10 days left to get Pico Park: Classic Edition for free on Steam. After June 14, the game will no longer be available to get on the storefront, as TECOPARK continues to work on future projects.
- Brand
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Valve
- Original Release Date
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September 12, 2003