As the gaming industry shifts towards a digital, always-online model, concerns are mounting over the ownership and preservation of older games. When a game is purchased, the publisher retains the rights to it and can remove it from circulation at any time, leaving players unable to access their purchased titles.
Stop Killing Games Campaign
Recently, Ubisoft's game "The Crew" became unplayable even in offline mode, sparking outrage among gamers. In response, a campaign called "Stop Killing Games" was launched to advocate for the preservation of games that rely on online servers to function. The campaign's petition to the UK government highlights the issue of games becoming unplayable when servers are shut down, effectively depriving customers of access to their purchases.
Government Response
After garnering 10,000 signatures, the Department of Culture, Media and Sport addressed the concerns raised by consumers. However, the government confirmed that there is currently no legislation in place to prevent games from becoming unplayable due to server shutdowns. While companies are required to comply with consumer protection laws, including the Consumer Rights Act 2015, the onus is on consumers to be aware of the terms under which digital content is provided.
The petition, which has now amassed nearly 25,000 signatures, aims to reach 100,000 signatures to be considered by Parliament.
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