Getting a Marvel Comics fix just got a little more difficult for gamers.
A number of titles featuring Marvel characters – Deadpool, Spider-Man: Friend or Foe, Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions, Spider-Man: Web of Shadows, Spider-Man: Edge of Time, X-Men: The Official Game, X-Men: Destiny and X-Men Origins: Wolverine – have been pulled from digital storefronts, and it’s unlikely they’ll return (Activision has confirmed to Game Informer that Deadpool, at least, is gone for good).
As is normally the case in these situations, if you’ve already got a digital copy of one of these games, nobody’s about to take it away from you. But you won’t be able to find the games on Xbox Live, the PlayStation Network, Steam or other digital distribution centers any longer.
That doesn’t mean the games just disappear from the face of the earth, however. Physical copies will still be available at brick-and-mortar locations that still have copies – however, it’s unlikely stores will restock the titles once they run out, so now may be the time to consider stocking up if you’re interested in playing any of those titles. Shops that deal in used games, such as GameStop, will also likely have pre-owned copies (though don’t be surprised if the prices on those start to creep up).
The why of it all isn’t entirely clear – though licenses are likely involved, and this isn’t the first time things like this have happened for titles featuring Marvel characters. For example, DLC for the Marvel: Ultimate Alliance games has long since been pulled from the marketplace, never to return, and Marvel vs. Capcom 3 can’t be purchased digitally either (nor can the Ultimate edition of the game).
What do you think, gamers? Are you disappointed you can’t nab your favorite Marvel titles digitally anymore? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments.