Metro Exodus disappeared from Mac App Store

Question

Level 1

16 points

Metro Exodus disappeared from Mac App Store

Recently, I had to reinstall my iMac. Afterwards I wanted to download and play Metro Exodus again.

Surprise! The game was gone from my purchases and even from the store entirely.

Contacting Apple and the developer was pointless. No specific explanations, just some vague insinuations and putting me off indefinitely.

I have almost paid 65 € for the game! How can they remove an app from the store without noticing their customers first? Is that even legal?

iMac (2017 – 2020)

Posted on Jun 12, 2024 02:47 AM

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Answer 1

Klose Author

Level 1

16 points

Jul 26, 2024 10:07 AM in response to zneilz

I can confirm everything you said:

The game is back in the store,
it is version 1.2 which is the one that has been online for at least two years.
Although I have bought the game when it came out, it is not in my purchases...
...and consequently I cannot download it anymore.

I do not know whether Apple or Plaion have an ombudsman who can mediate in cases like these. I doubt it though. Probably you will have to consult a lawyer, specialized in media and online law.

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Answer 2

zneilz

Level 1

12 points

Jul 26, 2024 05:00 AM in response to Klose

I bought and downloaded Metro Exodus off Apple App Store Nov 2023. Uninstalled game earlier this year then wanted to reinstall, found game missing in June from both my purchases and App Store. As of July 2024 Metro Exodus is back in App Store but not in my registered purchases and is asking for £39.99 even though I already bought it! I’ve spoken to both Apple and the developer, neither say they can do anything about it which is not acceptable. Is there an ombudsman or some other way of escalating this case?

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Answer 3

Dah•veed

Level 9

66,343 points

Jul 26, 2024 09:22 AM in response to zneilz

Is the app that is in the App Store today the same version of the app that you bought or is it a major paid upgrade?

The App Store policy is that minor version updates are free. Major paid version upgrades have to be bought.

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Answer 4

Dah•veed

Level 9

66,343 points

Jul 26, 2024 10:15 AM in response to zneilz

In the past users report that when the App Store tries to charge you for an app that you previously bought, during the process of going through the motions of buying it again the App Store realizes that you've bought it before and offers to download the app for free. This has happened to me on more than one occasion.

YMMV

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Answer 5

Klose Author

Level 1

16 points

Jul 29, 2024 10:05 AM in response to Klose

Hello everyone,

Once "Metro Exodus" was available again, I contacted the developer at playersupport (at) plaion (dot) com.

They asked me to provide a copy of the original receipt. Consequently, I sent them the invoice email from the App Store from when I bought the game back in 2021.

Today, I got a code in return. Plaion asked me to enter that code in my account at the App Store - and voilà, Metro Exodus was back in my purchases. I am downloading it right now...

[Edited by Moderator]

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Answer 6

Dah•veed

Level 9

66,343 points

Jul 29, 2024 10:26 AM in response to Klose

Thanks for returning and sharing this to benefit other users who are having the same issue.

In summation;

Email the developer at player support (at) plaion (dot) com
Provide a copy of your original purchase receipt for the app*
Receive a redemption code from the developer
Redeem the code and redownload the app

*Users can get a new copy of their original Apple purchase receipt by logging into their Account Settings in the App Store app. Choose Purchase History and browse until they find the original purchase. Click/tap on the purchase and then choose to resend the email receipt.

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Answer 7

zneilz

Level 1

12 points

Jul 26, 2024 09:33 AM in response to Dah•veed

Hi Dahveed, it is exactly the same version I bought in November 2023, that hasn’t been updated for over 3 years. Also they have removed the ability to comment and review the app

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Answer 8

Dah•veed

Level 9

66,343 points

Jun 12, 2024 07:01 PM in response to Klose

The developer can remove their app from the App Store whenever they wish. Notifying possibly millions of folks who have downloaded the app in the past isn't necessary or feasible.

M1 Mac mini, macOS 14.5;  Watch, series 7 GPS/cellular, watchOS 10.5; iPhone 12 Pro, iOS 17.5; TV 4th Gen, tvOS 17.5; HomePods, audioOS 17.5 and Airport Express w/ Airplay 2

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Metro Exodus disappeared from Mac App Store

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