import re


def remove_specials(str):
    """
    Removes everything but letters from a string. This is used to create "search names" for games
    in the datastore. This makes it easier to compare the names on HLTB with Steam, and reduces
    the number of games incorrectly reported as not existing on HTLB.

    e.g. - Chivalry: Medieval Warfare -> chivalrymedievalwarfare 

    """

    special = r'[^0-9A-Za-z]'
    str = str.lower()
    return re.sub(special, '', str)