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More importantly, it says that these companies must provide at least one of these options to affected gamers: allow for offline gaming, patch the title so that it could still be used online independently of the game’s online servers, or to refund the title’s cost at an amount equal to its highest price in the past 12 months, which should also not be lower than 25% of its initial sale price. If this law passes, this will offer some protection to gamers who often have no choice but to accept a game company’s decision to end a title.
The bill is only at its early stages, and there’s no telling how far it will go or if it will even be signed by the governor. Nevertheless, if it passes, it will force companies to ensure that their games remain playable even if they remove them from online stores, at least in Pennsylvania. Hopefully, this could set a precedent, and other states would soon follow suit. While this doesn’t solve the ownership problem , as you’re still getting a license to use the game instead of owning it on a physical disc, you at least are ensured that you do not lose access to the game even if the company folds or loses interest in maintaining the title.
This is exactly what the Stop Killing Games movement is fighting for, with the movement gaining support in both the EU and California. Unfortunately, none of its efforts have resulted in a law yet, with the EU declining to pursue new legislation in support of it. On the other hand, the California version of this bill has already passed a State Assembly vote, although it still has a long way to go before becoming law.
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Consumer Rights Wiki documents at least 44 instances in which Sony says you own your games
Group plans one-week PlayStation blackout to protest Sony’s plan to end physical game production
Chinese courts allow heirs to inherit accounts of deceased gamers
Key considerations
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Reference reading
- https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/SPONSORED_LINK_URL
- https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/proposed-pennsylvania-law-targets-publishers-that-kill-digital-games-publishers-must-provide-offline-mode-an-independent-server-patch-or-a-25-percent-minimum-refund#main
- https://www.tomshardware.com/membership
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