2K’s legacy titles will be taken temporarily offline until they make the transition to Valve’s Steamworks platform.
GameSpy used to be the biggest name in online multiplayer and matchmaking, with services integrated directly into the latest PC releases. Now that GameSpy is defunct however, these titles will soon lose multiplayer support, even in games like Borderlands and Civilization IV. Thankfully, several publishers have made plans to transition their services to other matchmakers, and 2K is no exception. Starting on May 31, 2014, Civilization III, Civilization IV, and the PC edition of Borderlands will gain Steamworks support, allowing fans to continue their multiplayer sessions after a brief transition period.
Once Glu finally pulls the plug on GameSpy Technologies, online services will be taken temporarily offline as 2K’s games transition to Steamworks. 2K is warning players to expect interruptions of features like online play, matchmaking, and voiceover Internet protocol until transitions are complete for the following titles:
- Borderlands
- Civilization III
- Civilization III: Conquests
- Civilization III: Play the World
- Civilization IV
- Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword
- Civilization IV: Colonization
- Civilization IV: Warlords
Offline play for these titles will not be affected.
Steamworks will be a natural fit for 2K’s legacy titles, considering that Steam sales are a big reason the games remained so popular after release. That being said, the bulk of 2K’s legacy titles still won’t make the transition, including the Viking-inspired Rune which is a real shame. And while I’m sure many won’t miss the online experience of games like Major League Baseball 2K9 Fantasy All-Stars, it’s always disappointing to see features cut from something you paid for.
2K titles losing online service as of May 31, 2014
- Close Combat First to Fight (PC / Mac)
- Jetfighter (PC)
- Jetfighter V: Homeland Protector (PC)
- Leadfoot (PC)
- Rune (PC)
- Stronghold 2 (PC)
- Stronghold Legends (PC)
- Top Spin (PS2 / PC)
- Top Spin 2 (PC / DS)
- Vietcong (PC)
- Vietcong Demo (PC)
- Vietcong Fist Alpha (PC)
- Vietcong 2 (PC)
- Vietcong 2 Demo (PC)
- MLB Fantasy All-Stars (DS)
- Sid Meier’s Civilization Revolution (DS)
- Major League Baseball 2K9 Fantasy All-Stars (DS)
- NHL 2K10 (Wii)
- NBA 2K10 (Wii)
Source: 2K
