Crysis 2 returns to Steam, EA silent on other absences
Publisher says Crysis 2: Maximum Edition complies with Steam's terms of service; says it has nothing to announce regarding other EA titles missing from Valve's digital store.
The Electronic Arts-published, Crytek-developed Crysis 2 has become available on Steam again after EA originally pulled the title from Valve's online storefront in June 2011.
At the time, EA's head of global e-commerce, David DeMartini, said that the reason for the removal of Crysis 2 from Steam was due to Valve not allowing EA to "establish an ongoing relationship" with customers by contacting them to inform them of new patches and available content.
"We take direct responsibility for providing patches, updates, additional content, and other services to our players," DeMartini said at the time. "Unfortunately, if we're not allowed to manage this experience directly, and establish a relationship with you, it disrupts our ability to provide the support you expect and deserve. At present, there is only one download service that will not allow this relationship. This is not our choice, and unfortunately it is their customer base that is most impacted by this decision. We are working diligently to find a mutually agreeable solution."
Crysis 2 has reappeared on Steam as Crysis 2: Maximum Edition, complete with an offer for existing Crysis 2 owners who bought the game on Steam before EA removed it. According to Steam, those eligible can now purchase the Maximum Edition for a 50 percent discount. The offer is available until June 12 at 10 a.m. PDT.
The Maximum Edition includes four limited-edition unlocks: bonus XP with access to preset classes, plus a custom class; scar assault rifle; day-one access to scar hologram decoy; and a unique platinum dog tag that allows players to display their multiplayer rank and stats.
The edition also includes Retaliation and Decimation packs with nine additional multiplayer maps supporting all game modes and two new weapons (FY71 assault rifle and M18 smoke grenade).
According to EA, the game's reappearance on Steam was due to changes made to the Maximum Edition by developer Crytek.
"Changes made by Crytek to Crysis 2: Maximum Edition have brought the game in compliance with Steam's terms of service," an EA spokesperson said in a statement to GameSpot.
When asked whether EA plans to reinstate some of its other missing titles to Steam, the publisher replied: "We have nothing to announce at this time."
Following the removal of EA titles, such as Battlefield 3, Dragon Age II, and Mass Effect 3 from Steam last year, Valve co-founder and managing director Gabe Newell expressed disappointment at the dispute with EA, saying that it is up to Valve to prove to EA that it is worth selling its games through Steam.
GameSpot has reached out to Valve for comment and will continue to update this story.
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