UK gamers, backed by a global movement, are rallying for legal measures to ensure video game publishers maintain the functionality of games post-support.
Petitions has emerged alongside a larger campaign against the industry's practices of rendering online games unplayable.
The Push for Permanence in Gaming
The UK petition, currently with over 4,000 signatures, seeks to establish a consumer right that would legally require video game publishers to keep sold games in a working state.
This initiative coincides with YouTuber Ross Scott's campaign, "Stop Killing Games," which targets the industry's "assault on both consumer rights and preservation of media."
Ubisoft's Recent Controversy
Ubisoft's decision to shut down The Crew, a 10-year-old racing game, exemplifies the issue at hand. The company cited "server infrastructure and licensing constraints" as the reason for the game becoming unplayable, sparking outrage and fueling the campaign's momentum.
The Legal and Consumer Rights Debate
Scott's campaign urges consumers to sign petitions and submit complaints to regulatory bodies.
The core argument is a disagreement of "GaaS (Games as a Service)" that video games should be treated as "goods" rather than "services," and as such, should not be made inoperable by the seller:
Publishers defend their practices by claiming that digital game purchases are conditional licenses subject to revocation.
However, Scott argues that these agreements may not withstand legal scrutiny universally, particularly in countries like France, which could set a precedent for global industry practices.
Compromise and Solutions
Advocating for Private Server Support
Scott is not demanding eternal game server operation from developers but suggests a compromise where developers provide means, such as private server support, for players to continue enjoying games after official support ends.
This approach has seen success with games like City of Heroes and Knockout City, where fan-run or developer-provided private servers have kept the games alive.
The Campaign's Progress
While Scott's campaign is gaining attention, with his latest video reaching 200,000 views, he expresses frustration over the slow process of getting government petitions approved.
Despite this, he remains hopeful for legal examination and action, particularly from French, German, and Australian authorities.
Poll:
<Should Developers Be Legally Required to Keep Games Support In the Long-Term?>
The recent campaign led by UK gamers has sparked a global conversation about the longevity of online games and consumer rights.
As the debate continues, we want to hear from you, our readers. Should developers be legally obligated to ensure that online games remain playable even after official support has ended?
Cast your vote below to let us know where you stand on this issue:
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Agree: Yes, developers should be legally required to keep online games accessible to protect consumer rights and preserve digital media.
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Disagree: No, developers should not have the legal burden to maintain game functionality indefinitely; the decision to shut down servers should be at their discretion.
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>>> Game Marketing Strategies: How Games as a Service (GaaS) Model Improve User Retention?
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