Despite endless calls to give up and accept being treated like trash by videogame publishers, Stop Killing Games announced today that they “have been involved in drafting and advising California’s Protect Our Games Act” with California Assemblymember Chris Ward.
For server-connected videogames (as defined in the act) it would require both informing customers of game death and require publishers to:
(A) Replace the game, at no additional cost to customers, with a comparable game capable of receiving necessary updates and support, when that comparable product is reasonably available to the company, and so notify customers.
(B) Release and circulate to customers an end of life plan, including steps taken to ensure the customer may continue running the game in some fashion after support ends.
This is just one of a number of moves SKG announced to help protect consumers from theft of their purchases. The group has also advised the UK’s Department for Culture, Media & Sport on this existential consumer rights issue, and
Lawmakers with the European Union are holding an official hearing on April 16th, with the public encouraged to watch. You are encouraged to send commentary to lawmakers beforehand, unless you believe that having no rights and owning no property is somehow good for people.
Here are important links to: