Why Was Only Up Removed From Steam? The Full Story

Only Up!, the viral sensation that captivated players with its challenging vertical climb, was removed from Steam for a multitude of reasons, culminating in its permanent deletion after less than four months on the market. The primary driver behind the removal stems from a combination of copyright violation claims and the immense stress it placed on its developer. Initially, the game was temporarily pulled from the platform in June 2023 due to allegations of using stolen assets from other games. While it briefly reappeared in July, the underlying issues and the developer’s mental well-being led to its ultimate demise on Steam. The developer, SCKR Games, cited a need for “peace of mind and healing” as the game’s intense pressure became overwhelming. This marks a notable and somewhat unusual exit for a game that had garnered significant attention and positive reviews before being abruptly shut down. The combination of legal complications and developer burnout resulted in a complete withdrawal of Only Up! from the platform.

The Copyright Controversy and Initial Removal

Allegations of Stolen Assets

One of the most significant reasons for Only Up!’s initial removal was the accusation that it used copyrighted assets without proper authorization. These claims centered on the game’s use of art, sound effects, and potentially other design elements that were allegedly taken from other games and online sources. This led to Steam taking action to protect intellectual property rights and led to the initial delisting of Only Up! in June. Although the game was briefly reinstated in July, the damage to its reputation and questions about the origin of its assets lingered, contributing to a sense of instability surrounding the title.

The Role of NFT Advertising

Adding to the complications, the game also faced criticism for advertising NFTs, which further alienated some players who are wary of these digital assets. This controversial element compounded the existing copyright concerns, making Only Up! a source of significant contention within the gaming community. The inclusion of NFTs suggested a lack of respect for the integrity of the game itself and added another layer of legal risk for both the developer and the platform.

The Developer’s Struggle and Permanent Removal

The Toll of Viral Success

While achieving massive popularity on platforms like Twitch, with a peak of 280,000 viewers, and earning mostly positive reviews on Steam, the game’s overnight success took a toll on the developer. The constant pressure to maintain the game, address technical issues, and cope with the copyright and NFT controversies proved to be highly stressful for SCKR Games. In a candid admission, the developer acknowledged making “a lot of mistakes” and asked for understanding from Steam users.

The Need for “Peace of Mind and Healing”

Ultimately, the developer’s mental health became a critical factor in the decision to permanently remove the game from Steam. The sheer stress of handling the game’s success, combined with the legal and ethical issues, led to a point where the developer felt the need to completely disengage from the project for their own well-being. They described the situation as needing “peace of mind and healing” – suggesting that the ongoing controversy and the pressure had made the game’s continuation unsustainable. The decision to remove the game was thus a personal choice by the developer, a rare instance where the developer’s mental well-being overrode the potential for profit.

A Permanent Departure from Steam

Unlike some games that are temporarily pulled for various reasons, Only Up! has been permanently deleted from Steam. This means it is unlikely that the game will be available on the platform again in its original form. This permanent removal sends a strong message about the challenges independent developers face, the importance of respecting intellectual property, and the need to prioritize developer well-being.

Other Factors Contributing to Game Removal from Steam

It’s worth noting that while Only Up!’s specific issues were unique, games are often removed from Steam for various reasons. These can include:

• Expired Music Rights: Games can get pulled if they include copyrighted music and the licensing rights have expired.
• Trademark Disputes: Legal issues around the use of trademarks can lead to games being removed.
• Exclusivity Deals: If a game makes an exclusivity deal with another platform, it may be removed from Steam.
• Fake Review Scams: Games that engage in fake review practices may be removed as a penalty.
• Shady Developer Practices: Developers engaging in unethical behavior may find their games removed.

In Only Up!’s case, the copyright concerns and developer stress were the deciding factors, illustrating the various ways a game can be removed and stay off Steam.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is Only Up!?

Only Up! is a Foddian-style platform game developed by SCKR Games, where players control a young boy attempting to ascend to the top by climbing a vast, intricate structure. It’s known for its challenging gameplay, lack of save points, and the potential for massive setbacks.

2. When was Only Up! originally released on Steam?

Only Up! was originally released on Steam on May 24, 2023.

3. Is Only Up! a Chinese game?

No, while the game has its origins in China, it was developed by SC-KR Games, an indie studio out of Korea.

4. Is Only Up! available on other platforms besides Steam?

Currently, Only Up! was exclusively available on Steam before its removal. There are fan-made recreations in Fortnite and Roblox.

5. Was Only Up! ever re-released on Steam?

Yes, after the initial removal in June for copyright violation claims, Only Up! was briefly re-launched in July before its final and permanent removal.

6. What was the main criticism of Only Up!?

The main criticism centered on allegations of using copyrighted assets from other games and the inclusion of NFT advertising within the game.

7. What is a “Foddian-style” game?

A Foddian-style game, inspired by “Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy,” is characterized by its high difficulty, precise movement requirements, and a tendency to punish mistakes harshly by setting players back a significant distance.

8. Why did Only Up! gain so much popularity?

The game became popular due to its intense difficulty, which often led to humorous reactions from streamers and content creators, attracting viewers on platforms like Twitch.

9. Does Only Up! have an ending?

Yes, Only Up! has an ending where, upon reaching the top, the player character is given a spaceship by a mysterious astronaut. The final cutscene provides a message about overcoming real-life obstacles.

10. Does Only Up! have multiplayer?

No, despite having similar features with parkour games, Only Up! is a single-player game.

11. How long does it take to complete Only Up!?

The time it takes to complete Only Up! varies greatly depending on the player’s skill level. It can take a few hours to reach the end, but many players have invested much longer due to frequent setbacks.

12. Why are games removed from Steam in general?

Games are often removed from Steam due to a variety of reasons including expired music rights, trademark disputes, exclusivity deals, fake review scams, shady developer practices, and other legal issues.

13. Is there a save feature in Only Up!?

No, there is no save feature in Only Up!, which means players must complete the game in a single session.

14. Was the decision to remove Only Up! a popular decision?

The decision to remove the game was not popular among players, but was a decision driven by the developer’s stress and the legal issues involved with the game.

15. Will Only Up! ever return to Steam?

Given that the developer cited a need to “put the game behind them” and the issues with copyright, it is highly unlikely that Only Up! will return to Steam in its original form.

By addressing these questions and detailing the journey of Only Up!, we gain a better understanding of why this viral game has been permanently removed from the Steam platform. The case serves as a cautionary tale about the complexities of game development, intellectual property rights, and the importance of prioritizing developer well-being.