The purchase option for a former Xbox Game Pass title has been disabled upon its departure from the subscription service. Xbox Game Pass, which was established in 2017, has consistently offered high-quality content to subscribers willing to pay the associated fees. As Microsoft continues to expand its support for the service, numerous deals have been strategically negotiated to ensure new and exciting games are available each month, including top-notch Indie Games for both Xbox and PC platforms.
Although most games remain available on the service indefinitely, certain titles are removed once their partnership with Game Pass concludes. This is the case with games like Spelunky 2, which have been removed from the subscription but can still be purchased separately. Deals with developers and publishers have specified expiration dates on the service, with some remaining for an extended period and others only staying for a few months. However, there are reports suggesting that one game may have been completely removed from the Microsoft Store.
In a recent tweet by user IdleSloth84_, they pointed out that the highly acclaimed game Omori is no longer available for purchase after its departure from Xbox Game Pass on June 30. This unexpected development has left many gamers slightly surprised, considering the psychological horror RPG's success on the platform. Xbox Support has officially announced that the partnership between OMOCAT and Xbox has come to an end. Furthermore, it has been suggested by IdleSloth84_ that Xbox's decision to distance themselves from OMOCAT was influenced by a t-shirt design controversy, which conveyed completely inappropriate behavior.
The issue surrounding OMOCAT may impact its future return to Xbox Game Pass, highlighting the importance for developers to exercise caution when sharing risque content. While games like Grand Theft Auto 5 push boundaries, there are certain limits that should not be crossed, especially considering Omori's target audience of younger players.
Omori, a delightful RPG with a distinctive art style, resonated with many fans and drew comparisons to beloved titles such as Earthbound and Deltarune. Its absence from the platform is unfortunate, but the reasons behind this decision are understandable. Microsoft's desire to avoid potential negative publicity is a valid response.
Omori is still available on PC, Switch, PS4, and PS5.