Oculus Go: Purchased apps suddenly unusable – users ask Meta for answers

Image: Meta

“Entitlement Check Failed”: This error is currently plaguing many Oculus Go owners as paid apps suddenly stop working.

FACTS

Many Oculus Go owners are reporting on forums and social media that they have been unable to launch many purchased apps for several weeks. Attempting to open the applications results in an “Entitlement Check Failed” error message and the application crashes.

TheLegend27, the first user to report the problem on the Meta Quest forum a few weeks ago, writes that he has already tried several steps to solve the problem to no avail. These included reinstalling the app, hard reseting the Oculus Go, and trying to launch the app from the smartphone app. He is also unable to open the app store on his device.

Multiple users worldwide are now reporting experiencing this issue on multiple Oculus Go devices and Meta accounts. While some apps like YouTube VR, Skybox and Netflix continue to work, the “Entitlement Check” error affects both free and paid apps, including Mission ISS and the golf simulator exVRience Golf. Only devices that are not connected to the Internet seem to work properly.

Despite efforts by individual users to bring the issue to Meta’s attention through official support channels, the company has yet to provide any useful solutions. So far, Meta support has only indicated that some apps may no longer work properly because Meta no longer supports Oculus Go. If the return period has not yet expired, the company recommends requesting a refund for the affected apps.

context

Meta discontinued support for Oculus Go as of 2022

Meta announced in early 2020 that it will no longer provide Oculus Go with software updates and new features. However, the company promised that owners of the standalone headset will still be able to access previously purchased apps and content.

The headset received bug fixes and security updates, but no new features, until 2022 and should still be usable today. As of December 2020, no new Go apps have been available in the store.

Meta justified the decision at the time by saying it wanted to focus on its 6DOF platforms going forward, as 6DOF “feels like the future of VR.” The Oculus Go lagged behind due to its limited 3DOF tracking and was almost made obsolete by the Oculus Quest.

OPINION

There is likely no improvement in appearance

Affected users are outraged and are demanding that the billion-dollar company fix the problem as soon as possible. This is understandable, but unlikely to succeed. In most cases, users only purchase a license to use digital applications and do not actually own the software. If the publisher decides to discontinue the app or stop supporting it on certain platforms, that’s it.

The gaming industry recently faced a similar situation. Ubisoft ended support for online racing game The Crew, which became unplayable despite having a single-player mode. Although this practice may violate EU consumer protection laws, the situation is currently unclear.

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