Poker Night 2‚ the quirky episodic adventure game featuring voice acting from celebrities playing poker‚ has a complicated availability status. Released initially in 2013‚ its journey through digital storefronts has been…turbulent. Here’s a detailed breakdown as of late 2023/early 2024.
The History of Availability
Originally available on PC via Steam‚ PlayStation 3‚ and Xbox 360‚ Poker Night 2 was delisted from these platforms in December 2019 due to expired licensing agreements for the music used in the game. This was a significant blow to fans‚ as it effectively removed the game from legitimate purchase options.
Current Availability (as of January 2024)
Unfortunately‚ Poker Night 2 remains largely unavailable. It is not currently available on:
- Steam
- PlayStation Store (PS3/PS4/PS5)
- Xbox Store (Xbox 360/Xbox One/Xbox Series X/S)
- GOG.com
Potential Avenues (with caveats)
There are a few limited ways players might still access the game:
- Existing Purchases: If you already purchased Poker Night 2 on Steam before its delisting‚ you should still be able to download and play it. This is the most reliable method.
- Used Physical Copies: Very limited physical copies exist for PS3 and Xbox 360. These are rare and can be expensive.
- Grey Market Keys: Be extremely cautious. Some websites may offer keys‚ but their legitimacy is questionable and risks account bans.
The Licensing Issue Explained
The core problem stems from the music licensing. Telltale Games‚ the developer‚ didn’t secure perpetual licenses for all the tracks used. When those licenses expired‚ they couldn’t legally redistribute the game without renegotiating (or removing the music). The cost of renegotiation‚ coupled with Telltale’s financial difficulties‚ led to delisting.
Will it Return?
There’s a small glimmer of hope. With Telltale Games revived under a new ownership structure‚ there’s been some discussion within the community about potentially revisiting Poker Night 2. However‚ there have been no official announcements regarding a re-release or re-licensing of the music. It’s a possibility‚ but don’t hold your breath.
