Reflexive Arcade discontinuation
Reflexive Arcade was an online store for downloadable casual video games, operated by developer Reflexive Entertainment, but also distributing third-party games through an affiliate developer program[1]. The games were distributed with a custom online DRM system. Freely downloadable, time-limited trial versions could be unlocked by purchasing a registration code, which was verified with an online service[2].
In 2008, Reflexive Entertainment was acquired by Amazon[3]. In 2010, Reflexive announced that they would be discontinuing their affiliate program and no longer sell third-party games[4]. With a few months notice, customers were informed that after July 31st, 2010, they would no longer be able to re-install or re-activate any of their purchased games.
Background
Reflexive Entertainment, Inc. was a studio developing casual games for desktop computers and mobile phones. It was founded in Irvine, California in 1997. In 2004, they launched the Reflexive Arcade online download store[5]. In addition to Reflexive's own games, the website also sold games from other studios through an affiliate developer program named Game Center Solutions[1]. By early 2010, Reflexive Arcade offered over over 1,450 downloadable Windows games and over 402 downloadable Mac games for sale[6].
Games distributed through Reflexive Arcade were wrapped in a proprietary DRM system. All game installers were freely downloadable and offered a time-limited trial version. In order to unlock the full version of a game, players could purchase an activation code on the Reflexive Arcade store which was then verified with an online service[2]. In addition, an offline activation procedure was provided. Each game displayed a product ID which depended on the system configuration. This product key could be entered on the Reflexive Arcade website in order to generate an offline activation key which would work only for that system[7].
On the Reflexive Arcade storefront, game purchases were advertised as offering "[u]nlimited game installations on any computer you own, forever!"[6]
Amazon takeover and service discontinuation
In October 2008, Reflexive co-founder Lars Brubaker announced that the company was to be acquired by Amazon[8]. In a blog post on the Reflexive website, he assured affiliate developers that the Arcade distribution channel and store would be kept operational.
What this means for all you developers is that it's time to get excited about your future with Reflexive. […] All of the features that you know and love about GameCenterSolution will still be available to you now and in the future, and you can continue to submit games through the Reflexive site.[9]
At the end of March 2010, Brubaker sent a communication to affiliate developers that the Game Center Solutions program and the Reflexive Arcade storefront would shut down effective June 31st, 2010. Amazon confirmed that Reflexive would return to focus exclusively on game development, and that game purchases would no longer be possible through Reflexive Arcade[10]. The Reflexive Arcade storefront was updated to display a notice that games would stop being available for purchase after June 30th, 2010. Existing customers were informed that July 31st, 2010, would be the last day on which it would be possible to install and activate previously purchased games.
Important Message
Valued Customers,
As of June 30th, 2010, games will no longer be available for purchase on Reflexive.com.
Please be sure to install and activate your purchases prior to July 31st, 2010.[11]
After June 30th, the storefront was updated to only display the service discontinuation message. The notice kept informing users to activate their games before July 31st, 2010, until well after that date[4].
[Company]'s response
Lawsuit
Consumer response
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "GameCenterSolution™". Archived from the original on 2007-07-06. Retrieved 2026-05-26.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "How do I activate and unlock my game?". GameCenterSolution™. Archived from the original on 2010-09-03. Retrieved 2026-05-26.
- ↑ "What Was Reflexive Entertainment and Why Was it Discontinued?". Failory. Retrieved 2026-05-26.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ 4.0 4.1 "The Best Games Recommended for You". Reflexive Arcade. Archived from the original on 2010-08-16. Retrieved 2026-05-26.
- ↑ "Game List for Reflexive Entertainment - PC Games". Reflexive Arcade. Archived from the original on 2009-08-13. Retrieved 2026-05-26.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "The Best Games Recommended for You". Reflexive Arcade. Archived from the original on 2010-03-30. Retrieved 2026-05-26.
- ↑ "My computer is not connected to the Internet, how do I activate my game?". GameCenterSolution™. Archived from the original on 2008-12-20. Retrieved 2006-05-26.
{{cite web}}:|archive-date=/|archive-url=timestamp mismatch; 2008-12-22 suggested (help) - ↑ "Amazon Snaps Up Video Game Provider Reflexive". TechCrunch. 2018-10-21. Retrieved 2026-05-26.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ Brubaker, Lars (2008-10-20). "Reflexive is acquired by Amazon.com". Reflexive Arcade - Blog. Archived from the original on 2010-03-31. Retrieved 2026-05-26.
- ↑ Bell, Erin (2010-04-01). "Reflexive Shuts Down Its Affiliate Program". Gamezebo. Retrieved 2026-05-26.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "The Best Games Recommended for You". Reflexive Arcade. Archived from the original on 2010-04-03. Retrieved 2026-05-26.