3 Video Games You’ll Never Get to Play Again (And the Strange Reasons They Vanished)

Certain video games are truly unforgettable, which makes it especially disappointing when they become unavailable. While it’s not uncommon for games to be canceled before they’re released, it’s even rarer – and more upsetting – when a launched game disappears and can no longer be played. The reasons for this vary, but the result is always the same: these experiences are lost forever, serving as a reminder that even great games aren’t guaranteed to last.

It’s not always because fans stop playing that online games disappear. Even games people love can be taken offline for reasons beyond player interest. Things like legal issues, lost licensing agreements, or publishers deciding not to spend money on maintaining older games can all cause a game to be removed, and that’s what happened with these three titles.

3) Concord

Concord has become known as one of the most problematic game launches ever, and it seems Bungie’s Marathon is facing similar challenges. While Concord initially generated buzz with a captivating reveal trailer, player excitement quickly faded when it became clear the game would focus on competitive shooting rather than a strong storyline. Concerns about the characters and the $40 price tag also contributed to its struggles.

Despite its initial launch, Concord was quickly taken offline due to various issues. The game servers were shut down, players received refunds, and it was removed from all digital stores. What Sony intended as a lasting live-service game turned out to be a significant failure, collapsing almost as soon as it began.

It’s odd that Sony didn’t attempt to resolve the issues with *Concord*. A simple fix could have been to make the game free-to-play, potentially attracting players who were hesitant to try it, as the gameplay itself was quite enjoyable. However, Sony instead shut down Firewalk Studio and removed the game entirely, even preventing those who purchased physical copies from accessing it.

2) Friday the 13th: The Game

Friday the 13th: The Game became a favorite among horror fans and offered a unique, thrilling experience. While it didn’t reach the same level of popularity as Dead by Daylight, it maintained a dedicated player base, making its eventual shutdown a surprise – especially considering how much fans loved the Friday the 13th movies. Ultimately, issues with the rights to the source material led to the game being taken offline.

A legal battle concerning the rights to *Friday the 13th* forced the game to be taken off digital stores and its online servers were shut down. While players can still enjoy the game offline, the popular online multiplayer mode is no longer available. This is especially frustrating for fans, who were not involved in the dispute. The lawsuit, regarding who owns the rights to the franchise, resulted in the loss of a well-received licensed game.

It’s unclear what could have become of *Friday the 13th: The Game*. While the developers, IllFonic, had plans for the game, a disagreement brought development to a halt. Unlike with the game *Concord*, players weren’t offered refunds, and *Friday the 13th: The Game* now remains largely unplayable for those who own it.

1) P.T.

Perhaps the most frustrating case of this is *P.T.* It’s really upsetting how poorly it was handled. Even though it wasn’t a complete game, it’s become famous as one of the scariest and most acclaimed horror experiences in gaming. Its mysterious release on the PlayStation Store only made it more popular. What players initially thought was just a demo of a basic hallway turned out to be a bizarre and deeply unsettling experience.

It was so shocking when *P.T.* just disappeared! Apparently, there was a big falling out between Konami and Hideo Kojima’s team, 7780s Studio, and it led to the game being canceled altogether. They even took the teaser down from PlayStation! As a fan, it felt like we lost something truly special – it really could have been one of the best horror games ever, and we were all left wanting more.

Even today, the influence of the game *P.T.* is still felt. When it was removed from the PlayStation Store, the only way to play it was on consoles that already had it downloaded. This caused fans to buy and sell these consoles for incredibly high prices. *P.T.* demonstrated both the incredible power of video games and how quickly access to them can disappear.

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2025-09-23 18:55