Of all the massive end of year titles to launch in 2014, Far Cry 4 is probably the only one I have yet to play. That’s not because I don’t want to tear through Kyrat on the back of an elephant, but rather because, you know, games are expensive. I’m also a little glad I didn’t cave in on some Xbox One digital specials, because I probably wouldn’t be able to play at all now.
Last night numerous Xbox One users began reporting that they couldn’t play their digitally acquired versions of Far Cry 4 all of a sudden. It didn’t take long for everyone to realise that the game had been removed from the Xbox Store, messing around with the authentication process for anyone who had decided to buy the game without a disc. Welcome to the future of games retail indeed.
Ubisoft quickly caught up, stating that the removal of the game from the store was an error and that they are working with Microsoft to resolve the issue. They also suggest contacting local Xbox support for help if you run into the issue, but honestly I’m not sure that’ll be much help considering the game is still missing from the store – even locally.
I love buying my games digitally, but things like this really irk me. It’s just another reason why no matter how convenient digital games become, physical copies will always have a place. Are you struggling to play the game, or is this the reason you always buy a “real” copy?
Last Updated: January 6, 2015
Blood Emperor Trevor
January 6, 2015 at 09:24
That’s why I generally buy a game a year after its release now. All the nonsense is sorted out by then.
Dutch Matrix
January 6, 2015 at 09:29
Plus the inevitable GOTY, or complete collection or some such version. Usually cheaper than the original release too…
Blood Emperor Trevor
January 6, 2015 at 10:06
Cheaper is a very nice side-effect. I bought a whole bunch of games during the Steam xmas sale for around $50, including a few bigger titles. Less than the price of one new AAA game without it’s DLC.
Admiral Chief
January 6, 2015 at 10:03
Good plan that!
Lord Chaos
January 6, 2015 at 10:04
And it would be on a Steam Special…
Ryanza
January 6, 2015 at 09:27
You bought digital. You supported DRM. Now your ass can’t play the game. HahA.
Don’t Support DRM. Just to make it clear. If you could buy Far Cry 4 on GOG.com (DRM-free), the game won’t stop working even if they removed the game off the store page. The Witcher 3 is coming.
matt
January 7, 2015 at 01:00
The people supporting drm are also getting them half price by sharing it with a friend. Sound more appealing now jackass?
Mandom (Umar)
January 6, 2015 at 09:28
Still, so if its removed from the Xbox Store, you can’t play it anymore?….That’s worrying…but hey, I guess that’s gaming these days.
Ryanza
January 6, 2015 at 09:29
That’s DRM for ya.
Dutch Matrix
January 6, 2015 at 09:35
The better question is: How does one of the bigger recent releases get removed from the Xbox store?
Mandom (Umar)
January 6, 2015 at 09:38
True, well look things happen, but as of late, I’m starting to get worried. So many things are broken and out of whack
HairyEwok
January 6, 2015 at 09:33
I might just be old school but i like my hard copy, to actually feel something in my hand that i gave nearly a thousand bucks out for just makes it feel more, well more.
101
January 6, 2015 at 09:36
Amen Brother
Dutch Matrix
January 6, 2015 at 09:36
For R900.00 a pop, I’d prefer something hard and shiny too…
Lord Chaos
January 6, 2015 at 10:08
O_o
ToshZA
January 6, 2015 at 12:01
Buy pre-owned or on sale. There’s your value for money in physical copies.
#TrustDRMgetburned
January 6, 2015 at 09:34
Ladies & Gentlemen. Bookmark this page for an ever reminder on why you should not EVER support drm.
Kromas, Guardian of Cenarius
January 6, 2015 at 09:41
This right here people is why you should boycott Ubisoft.
Also look at steam. Even if the game gets pulled from the store your copy will always be downloadable,update-able and playable so this issue is really not the norm for digital distribution.
Erp
January 6, 2015 at 09:44
If No Mans Sky doesn’t have a Hard copy I will not buy. After reading this the proof is in the pudding, DRM can’t be trusted and no amount of sugar coating will convience me otherwise. Thankyou for the Articale.
Rock789
January 6, 2015 at 09:49
I will always prefer physical copies – sorry, it’s just the way I am. Also means I can watch my collection grow. 🙂
I only buy digital if that’s the only way that game is available.
RinceThis
January 6, 2015 at 10:12
Pah! You have a small collection, SMALL!
Rock789
January 6, 2015 at 10:18
You’re right… **sobs**
DrKiller
January 6, 2015 at 10:45
He likes things… “small” 😛
Ryanza
January 6, 2015 at 09:54
This is why I say that DRM is only worth $5 or less, sales. Well DRM products are actually worth $ZERo.
Don’t Support DRM. This is what happens. When them unplug old servers. http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-05-12-50-ea-games-will-have-their-servers-shut-down. That’s the future of your single player DRM games. Re-buy your old games on new servers.
Don’t Support DRM. 2015 and DRM already in the news.
RinceThis
January 6, 2015 at 10:04
Deal with it.
Ryanza
January 6, 2015 at 10:06
http://i.imgur.com/Ry7Cx7S.jpg
Lardus-Resident Perve
January 6, 2015 at 10:13
I HAVE to buy “real” because of limited cap. Wireless is my only option since my Telkom lines were stolen in 2011. This is the main reason my friends and I hardly play games anymore – it means Steam games and online activation + patches is a nightmare
ToshZA
January 6, 2015 at 12:02
I know the feeling man. The only reason I’ve been able to buy digital lately is that my gf has an uncapped line – so I download and update there. But my 3G card can’t support the myriad of downloads and updates on its own. The speed is nice though.
Lardus-Resident Perve
January 6, 2015 at 13:50
I have Telkom Home/Business LTE – have to be SOOOOO careful with Steam updates because it can take all the cap in a few hours 🙁
Brady miaau
January 6, 2015 at 14:55
Yeah, that nice speed can so work against you
Ir0nseraph
January 6, 2015 at 10:19
I buy digital and Disc , depends on what game it is and price, and even it’s a bad experience for some with FC4 on xbox digital side it will be fixed, so I just hope they learn from their mistake.
CAE9872
January 6, 2015 at 11:04
That reason makes no sense – I own many games which have been removed from the Store but still allows me to play it as the authentication process goes via your purchase account; not whether the game is on the store.
Hmmm I do wish they would just tell us the truth. I get it was an error, I am sure, but what exactly was the error!
oVg elfroot slayer
January 6, 2015 at 11:09
Another game I am interested in is the new GTAV… but R899 MAN!!! 900 FCKING RAND.
1 game every 2 months is now the norm for the average working South African.
R899!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and its a fcking re-issue, infact, it has now set the precedent. All games at retail are now R899.
To think we all went MAD when Mega Rom released Max Payne 3 for R699 19months ago.
R899… Why do they not just round it off to a grand while they are at it?
ToshZA
January 6, 2015 at 12:03
Don’t give them ideas.
Khaan
January 6, 2015 at 13:00
What Im interested in seeing, is with the recent reduction in oil prices and the general knock on effect that has with just about anything retail, is if we see some of these prices coming down. I know its a lot more complicated than that, specially with our government having 100% import costs on just about anything electronic.
Brady miaau
January 6, 2015 at 14:54
Have you seen its review scores on Metacritic, for both Xbox One and PS4? Insanely high, so they can get away with premium prices
Ghost In The Rift
January 7, 2015 at 07:41
I will stick with a “real” copy,everything so online,and its not like hackers are getting less and less,
I refuse to put my bank details all over the net.