Answer to why GTA: Vice City was taken from digital distributors

old news...

It is apparently the Michael Jackson song that is at the heart of the licensing issue. His greedy whore family and trustees no doubt want more money.

Didn't they just have like a gta vice city sale? What happens to people that own it? Is it going to be temporarily removed?

Yes, it is one of the Michael Jackson songs. Not "Billy Jean", it's one of the others. The fact is that, according to what I read from Destructoid, there was an expiration date attached to the licensing rights. Those expired, leading us to the current state we are in.

So basically, the same thing that lead to Steam not having a complete collection of the Hitman series. All this fuss over a song that the labels hold way too much power over.

I wonder if it relates at all to the fact that only the "Flash FM" album from Vice City is on iTunes? There are supposed to be like 6 albums but only #4 (Flash FM) is buyable on iTunes..

this is bad i just won gta vc before the day it was taken from stone but such a good game. people gonna pirate it

Because of michael jackson

Can't they just patch it out? Replace it with a song by another dead artist whose estate isn't being handled by a bunch of money-grubbing, officious, petty-minded tossrags?

Not that Mr Jackson's estate is, of course... That might be considered a libellous statement (and an potentially profitable opportunity to sue me). It is patently and demonstratably untrue.

So thats it then eh. I just paid $5 for it lastnight. I usually try and buy only at %75 off or better but I made an exception in this case cause I really want the game and it was no longer available.

I still think I made a good call though as now I will have the original with intact sound track :).

what about dirt on steam