Consumer Rights
Ongoing coverage on Consumer Rights.
Latest coverage
Steam's AI disclosures are akin to "forcing developers to list their voting history", says man who must hate seeing eggs virtue signal that they're free-range
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney criticized Valve's new policy requiring developers to disclose the use of generative AI in their games. Sweeney argued that these disclosures are akin to forcing developers to reveal political affiliations and could be used against them by a 'hate mob.' The article counters that such transparency is necessary for consumers to make informed decisions, comparing it to age ratings and suggesting that businesses should adapt to consumer preferences.
Canadian political party leader blames BioWare's closure on private equity, says government should help former employees buy it back
Avi Lewis, leader of Canada's NDP, has criticized the closure of BioWare, attributing it to private equity practices that prioritize short-term profit over business longevity. Lewis suggested that federal support should be provided to allow BioWare employees to buy back and run the studio themselves. This incident is part of a broader trend of politicians engaging with video game industry issues.
US Congressman unveils legislation to protect digital games ownership
U.S. Congressman Ritchie Torres has introduced the "Power to the Players Act," a bill aimed at protecting digital game ownership rights. The legislation would direct the Federal Trade Commission to create regulations ensuring that purchased games are truly owned, not just licensed, and would require offline modes for online games.
Mexican lawmakers join the fight for digital games ownership with a new consumer rights initiative
Mexican lawmakers Luis Donaldo Colosio Riojas and Iraís Reyes are proposing legislation to enhance consumer rights regarding digital game ownership. The initiative aims to clarify whether consumers are buying a product or a license, push for digital preservation after server shutdowns, and enforce accountability for companies selling digital goods in Mexico.
Refund This Game is coming to Steam in October — MP3s & NPCs
Cactile Games and dofhouse announced that Refund This Game will launch on PC via Steam on October 15. The game allows players to refund it after beating it, a concept inspired by recent discussions around Steam's refund policy. Developers aim to create a fun, hand-crafted platformer that can be completed and refunded within the two-hour window.
Fed up with Sony, PlayStation fans compile a list of all the times the company said "you own" your games and…
PlayStation fans have compiled a list of Sony's past statements and store verbiage that suggest users "own" their digital games, in light of a class action lawsuit challenging these terms. The lawsuit hinges on a California law requiring clear communication about licensing versus ownership, with Sony arguing consumers are not misled by its terms. The article highlights numerous examples from the PlayStation Store and help pages that imply ownership, despite Sony's terms of service stating otherwise.
After Sony tells fans they don't own digital games, one Consumer Rights group is tracking all the times PlayStation said the opposite
A consumer rights group is tracking over 30 instances where Sony has implied customers own digital games, contradicting their recent legal argument that 'reasonable consumers' know they don't truly own them. A class action lawsuit alleges Sony's PlayStation Store is unclear about digital licenses being revocable, while Sony claims their disclosures are sufficient.
Even during a RAMpocalypse, Sony and Microsoft come across as less consumer-friendly than some PC brands with their refusal to give US tariff refunds back to consumers
Sony and Microsoft are facing lawsuits for allegedly not passing on US tariff refunds to consumers, despite some PC brands like Arctic and Panic doing so. Both console manufacturers have filed motions to dismiss the suits, arguing that consumers did not suffer a legally cognizable injury. This stance contrasts with smaller companies that have proactively refunded customers, leading to criticism of Sony and Microsoft's consumer-friendliness.
Microsoft invents new level of 'own nothing and like it': 5 to 15 hours of playtime a month for Xbox cloud…
Microsoft is introducing monthly playtime limits for Xbox Cloud Gaming, ranging from 5 to 15 hours depending on the Xbox Game Pass tier. Players will be able to purchase additional hours, a move the company attributes to rising operational costs. This change is expected to impact a small percentage of users but has drawn criticism for its optics and potential erosion of consumer rights.
Both Microsoft and Sony say they're under no obligation to pass tariff refunds on to customers
Microsoft and Sony have stated they are not obligated to pass tariff refunds onto consumers, despite lawsuits arguing otherwise. Both companies claim customers paid the advertised price and are not owed any difference, even if tariffs were later deemed unconstitutional. While most major players are taking this stance, companies like Arctic and Panic are offering refunds or price rollbacks to customers.
Sony and Microsoft do their best Nintendo impression, say customers aren't entitled to tariff refunds because they chose to pay inflated prices and got "exactly" what they "paid for"
Sony and Microsoft are following Nintendo's lead by refusing to pass tariff refunds onto consumers for products like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. The companies argue that customers received exactly what they paid for at the advertised price, and that consumers were free to not purchase the goods if they disagreed with the cost.
Following Nintendo's example, Sony and Microsoft argue they have no obligation to pass tariff refunds onto customers
Sony and Microsoft are arguing in separate lawsuits that they are not legally obligated to pass tariff refunds onto consumers who purchased their consoles at inflated prices. Both companies, along with Nintendo, are facing legal challenges from customers seeking compensation after US-imposed tariffs were ruled illegal and companies became eligible for refunds. While the platform holders maintain consumers paid fair market price, some smaller companies like Panic and Arctic have opted to refund customers.
PlayStation argues "reasonable consumers" already know they don't actually own their digital games
Sony's legal team is arguing that consumers understand they do not truly own digital games, even if they have paid for them. This defense comes amid a class-action lawsuit alleging that PlayStation Store disclosures are insufficient regarding digital ownership rights, particularly in light of a California law requiring clearer communication about perpetual access not being guaranteed.
'Reasonable' consumers know they don't own digital downloads, Sony says
Sony has stated that 'reasonable' consumers understand they do not own digital game downloads, in response to a lawsuit alleging the company violates California law. This statement addresses the ongoing legal debate surrounding digital ownership rights.
Sony’s Digital Game Ownership Argument Is Another Attack On Consumer Rights
Sony is arguing in a class-action lawsuit that it does not mislead consumers about purchasing digital game licenses instead of actual ownership. The company claims reasonable consumers understand these are licenses, not full ownership, and points to its terms of service disclaimers. This stance is concerning for the future of gaming, especially as physical media options diminish.
Sony's mad legal argument for digital PS5 games says there's only ever one copy
Sony is making a legal argument that digital game purchases are licenses, not sales, and that only one person can ever own a digital copy of a game. This stance is being taken in court following a lawsuit over alleged violations of consumer rights laws regarding digital storefront clarity. The company's reasoning suggests that if a consumer truly owned a digital game, no one else could play it, a logic that contradicts their own reported digital sales figures.
Sony lawyers argue that nobody is stupid enough to believe they actually own digital games, because then only one person…
Sony's lawyers are arguing in a legal filing that consumers do not actually own their digital games and are unlikely to believe they do. This argument is part of their defense against a class-action lawsuit alleging the company violates consumer protection laws by not clearly disclosing that purchases are licenses, not ownership.
Micron, the trillion-dollar memory company, refused to replace a crucial drive for current market value until Reddit got…
A PC gamer successfully pressured Crucial into replacing a failed 4TB external drive after the company initially offered only a refund for the original purchase price. The customer escalated the issue to Reddit, citing market price increases and consumer protection laws, leading Crucial to provide a 1-to-1 replacement due to limited inventory.
CyberLeek, Explained: Inside the GTA 6 Leaks, the Manifesto and the Memecoin Votes
An individual or group known as CyberLeek has been publishing alleged unfinished footage and details from Grand Theft Auto VI, accompanied by a manifesto advocating for consumer rights regarding digital preorders and game preservation. The group has also launched a memecoin, $CYBERLEEK, which is used for community voting on which leaked content to release next. While Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive have taken action to remove the leaked material, the origin and authenticity of the leaks remain unverified, with possibilities of AI generation or playable build access being discussed.
Sony trolls PlayStation boycotters with reminder they don't own digital games
Sony Interactive Entertainment has reminded PlayStation users that digital games are licensed, not owned, amidst backlash over the discontinuation of physical game discs. This reminder, sent via email, emphasizes the limited rights granted to players for digital purchases, coinciding with a planned gamer boycott and Sony's continued pursuit of live service games.
