Something that really bugs me about digital-only games is that they can disappear completely from sale, never to appear again, often without prior notice. If you're lucky then you may be able to redownload your purchases (usually PC services like GoG and Steam are good for this), but if you bought your game on the Play store or elsewhere you might be out of luck.
Prior to last gen, this wasn't an issue, as physical second hand copies were always available and usually first hand copies were still floating around stores. These days, though, an expired music or IP licence (or even an expired copyright) can mean a game suddenly disappears from sale and is never seen again. Usually it's gone before you know it, and it can be really frustrating finding that a game you wanted to buy on sale is already gone for good.
Here's a few games that are no longer available for purchase on digital distribution:
With big summer sales coming up (particularly the Steam sale in a few days), let's talk about games that may not be around for purchase much longer.
--------------------
Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit & Most Wanted - both games have a vast library of licenced cars, and reportedly EA's Porsche licence is expiring sometime this year. Can't see them bothering to renew it for older titles at least.
Saint's Row 2, 3 & 4 - a load of licenced music, which will likely be licenced for a fixed period. Deep Silver likely aren't in great financial shape and may not want to fork out to renew it for games that regularly sell on 75% discounts.
Dungeons & Dragons: Chronicles of Mystara - the key's in the name, a licenced property that the publisher doesn't own.
Prior to last gen, this wasn't an issue, as physical second hand copies were always available and usually first hand copies were still floating around stores. These days, though, an expired music or IP licence (or even an expired copyright) can mean a game suddenly disappears from sale and is never seen again. Usually it's gone before you know it, and it can be really frustrating finding that a game you wanted to buy on sale is already gone for good.
Here's a few games that are no longer available for purchase on digital distribution:
Code:
Outrun 2006: Coast 2 Coast
Marvel vs Capcom 2 & Ultimate MVC 3
Gran Turismo 5 DLC
WWE 2k15: Hulk Hogan DLC
Wolfenstein
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
P.T.
Descent 1, 2 and 3
Duke Nukem 3D: Megaton Edition
Sega Rally Revo
Afterburner Climax
Virtua Tennis 4
Wallace & Gromits Grand Adventures
Cryostasis
MafiaWith big summer sales coming up (particularly the Steam sale in a few days), let's talk about games that may not be around for purchase much longer.
--------------------
Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit & Most Wanted - both games have a vast library of licenced cars, and reportedly EA's Porsche licence is expiring sometime this year. Can't see them bothering to renew it for older titles at least.
Saint's Row 2, 3 & 4 - a load of licenced music, which will likely be licenced for a fixed period. Deep Silver likely aren't in great financial shape and may not want to fork out to renew it for games that regularly sell on 75% discounts.
Dungeons & Dragons: Chronicles of Mystara - the key's in the name, a licenced property that the publisher doesn't own.
