Xbox One digital pricing experiment not off to a great start

Microsoft's Xbox One digital pricing experiment is not off to a great start. Today was supposed to be the first day that Microsoft would offer a digital copy of Ryse: Son of Rome at the discounted price of $40, but the problem is the reduced price is not available for everyone.

"Looks like the sale price for Ryse is not showing for some people," Microsoft's Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb said on Twitter. "I am checking into that."

Problems like this are one of the main arguments against a digital-only future. If you can't buy a game at the promised price, there's going to be a lot of frustrated gamers. That said, growing pains are to be expected as companies like Microsoft beef up their digital game initiatives.

The Ryse: Son of Rome pricing promotion was announced yesterday in response to user requests for less expensive digital games. Ryse: Son of Rome will remain $40 until February 24. An additional sale on the game's DLC will begin on February 25.

Looking ahead, Microsoft and Crytek will launch the Mars' Chosen Pack for Ryse: Son of Rome on February 28. It will be available as part of the game's $20 season pass or as an individual download for $9 and includes new maps, a new character skin, and a new cooperative Survival Mode.