Grumpyface Studios recently shared its disappointment over the removal of several games it developed for the Cartoon Network brand due to cost-saving initiatives. Popular titles that have been impacted include Steven Universe: The Light Trilogy and the Teeny Titans series, which are no longer available on digital platforms. This decision has frustrated many players who enjoyed these games.
According to Grumpyface Studios, their partnership with Cartoon Network Games brought us a number of beloved mobile titles inspired by shows like Adventure Time and Regular Show. They’ve become best known for their collaborations with both Adult Swim Games and Cartoon Network Games, leading to the development of console and PC releases like the Steven Universe: The Light Trilogy. Sadly, these games are no longer purchasable through official channels. As of December, at least six Cartoon Network-published titles were removed from platforms like Steam and the Nintendo eShop. This is part of a wider initiative by Warner Bros. Discovery, the company that owns Cartoon Network, to slash costs by shelving nearly finished projects and pulling original films and games from their services. Among these delisted games are Grumpyface’s Steven Universe: Save the Light and Steven Universe: Unleash the Light. The studio has issued a statement explaining the circumstances around these removals.
In a message shared on Grumpyface’s official Twitter account, the studio expressed that they weren’t consulted in the decision to remove the Steven Universe: The Light Trilogy or the Teeny Titans games. They also mentioned that they are unable to discuss the issue further and advised directing any questions to Cartoon Network and Warner Bros. The post ended by expressing how heartbroken the studio was about the situation, a sentiment echoed by many fans.
The Steven Universe: The Light Trilogy consisted of RPGs inspired by the Cartoon Network animated series. The first game, Attack the Light, was a mobile exclusive, but its sequels, Save the Light and Unleash the Light, were launched on multiple platforms like Steam, Nintendo Switch, PS4, and Xbox One. Teeny Titans, based on the Teen Titans GO show, allowed players to collect and upgrade figures to compete in tournaments, reminiscent of Pokemon.
Other titles being pulled from platforms like Steam and consoles include Adventure Time: Finn and Jake’s Epic Quest and Samurai Jack: Battle Through Time. This isn’t the first time Warner Bros. has taken such action. Earlier in March 2024, a similar large-scale delisting almost occurred, but several Adult Swim-published games were spared due to public backlash. Many fans have expressed their dissatisfaction with Warner Bros.’s sudden removal of these games and are now looking for ways to preserve them for future enjoyment.