Nvidia Added a Game to GeForce Now Without Permission From Developer

Game developer speaks out about Nvidia's unauthorized use of its game, and its subsequent removal from GeForce Now.

Although GeForce Now seemed like the next major competitor in the video game streaming service field, its potential for dominance disappeared as quickly as several of its titles did. After removing all its Activision-Blizzard titles, the Nvidia streaming platform has shrunk even further. While GeForce Now's most recent loss is not its worst, the situation surrounding this latest game's departure has raised questions over how Nvidia built the platform's original library of over a thousand games.
The Long Dark was added to the GeForce Now streaming service for customer use. However, this inclusion was not done with the developer's consent. Between this incident and Bethesda's withdrawal announcement from the platform, several questions should be raised regarding Nvidia's ability to secure rights for certain video game titles.

According to a Twitter thread by developer Raphael van Lierop, he and Hinterland Studio both discovered that The Long Dark was being used without permission, and immediately asked for its removal from the platform. Van Lierop apologized to disappointed fans, while explaining that Nvidia had already apologized for its error and asked to keep The Long Dark on GeForce Now. The developer had declined, stating that it had a right to control where its titles existed, and that any complaints should be brought to Nvidia, and not itself.

From the developer's account, Nvidia's use of the game does seem like an honest mistake. However, this mistake has led to severe fan backlash. In the thread's replies, Twitter users lashed out at van Lierop, claiming that the license they had purchased on GeForce entitled them to the game. To make matters worse, The Long Dark is only the latest in a string of removals that have continued despite promises that there would be "fewer" game removals going forward.
Ultimately, GeForce Now's survival depends on player willingness to stick with the program as it develops further and gains more legitimate titles. However, despite the latest setbacks, Nvidia appears to have some hope. Cyberpunk 2077 will launch on GeForce Now simultaneously with other platforms. If it performs well, this game might help revitalize the service. Until it arrives, GeForce Now will be searching for another way to stand out from the growing competition.