A Xbox player recently snagged a $5 deal on Ubisoft's Riders Republic, only to find it delivered still encased in plastic security packaging. Major retailers often secure their games in unique plastic boxes meant to be unlocked with specific tools. While these anti-theft measures aim to prevent potential theft, they are not foolproof.

Despite security measures, game theft remains a concern for retailers. In a past incident, a man was apprehended for stealing video games from Walmart and received a 60-day jail term along with a year of probation. Conversely, some legal buyers have faced the inconvenience of receiving online game purchases, like from Walmart, still locked in their plastic security cases.

This scenario unfolded recently for Reddit user phamjonny1991, who seemingly procured a $5.00 Xbox version of Riders Republic, a 2021 sports game by Ubisoft. While Riders Republic garnered positive reviews upon release, its value has since depreciated. Yet, phamjonny1991's purchase, likely from Walmart based on the image, arrived in the anti-theft packaging.

Game Delivery in Secured Packaging Raises Concerns

This incident is not an isolated one. Another Reddit user, SavageDarkside, had a similar experience a few years back when their online purchase of the PS4 edition of Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection arrived in a sealed security case. They shared in the comments that they managed to remove the case using magnets, suggesting a potential solution for phamjonny1991 with their Riders Republic copy.

The era of anti-theft cases like these is likely approaching its end. With the gaming industry increasingly embracing digital distribution, many major games are forgoing physical releases altogether. Reports indicate retailers are moving away from physical media or reducing the space allocated to items like DVDs, Blu-rays, and video games. As physical game sales dwindle, encounters with such situations are expected to decline.