Consumer Rights
Ongoing coverage on Consumer Rights.
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Something for the Weekend – 11/07/26
This week's news includes Microsoft confirming significant layoffs affecting multiple studios, Palworld's 1.0 launch with a large patch, and matchmaking issues for Black Ops players on PlayStation 4 and 5. God of War Laufey is slated for a 2027 release, and a petition to save physical games has garnered over 285,000 signatures.
Steam refunds are "not for people to play games for free," says dev of short game who criticized Valve's…
Mateo Covic, developer of the short game Paddle Paddle Paddle, has criticized Steam's refund policy, stating it's exploitable and allows players to play games for free. While supporting the refund system overall, Covic argues that the current 'no questions asked' policy within two weeks and under two hours of playtime is too easily abused. He clarified his intention was not to remove refunds but to address players who enjoyed the game and left positive reviews before refunding it.
Indie dev defends criticism of Steam refund abuse amid review bombing of his game: 'It's wrong to refund a…
Indie developer Mateo Covic has spoken out against players who refund games on Steam after completing them, despite his own game, Paddle Paddle Paddle, experiencing a high refund rate. Covic clarified that his frustration stems from players bragging about finishing and refunding games, not the refund policy itself. The controversy has led to some review bombing of his game, though he maintains his stance that completing a game and then refunding it is unethical.
'If not PS6, then PS7' — Analyst says PlayStation ending physical discs was bound to happen as 'the console ecosystem is nearly entirely digital at this point'
Analyst Daniel Ahmad believes Sony's decision to end physical PlayStation disc production in 2028 was inevitable due to the significant shift towards digital sales, which now account for around 80% on PlayStation and over 90% on Xbox. This move aligns with Sony's strategy to create a high-margin, closed digital ecosystem, controlling all software sales and eliminating the used game market.
PlayStation ending physical games is "like Apple removing the CD Drive from its laptops," says analyst: "Not a single person is complaining about it today"
Analyst Daniel Ahmad compares Sony's move away from physical PlayStation games to Apple's removal of CD drives from laptops, arguing the shift to digital is inevitable. He cites high digital sales percentages and publisher preferences for higher margins, while also discussing the future cost of consoles and the importance of consumer rights in a digital-first market.
Sony’s No More Discs Debacle Was Inevitable, But The Worst Is Yet To Come
Sony has announced the end of PlayStation disc production by 2028, implying the PlayStation 6 will be digital-only. This move, driven by market trends favoring digital sales, raises concerns about game preservation and long-term accessibility, especially with the upcoming closure of the PlayStation Store for PS Vita and PS3. The article draws parallels to Nintendo's digital storefront closures, highlighting the risks of relying solely on publishers for game access and questioning future consumer rights.
If physical games are dying, we need better laws for our digital rights
Sony's decision to end disc production for PlayStation games and the impending removal of Studio Canal films from PlayStation Video highlight the precariousness of digital ownership. The article argues for stronger consumer rights and new laws to protect digital purchases, contrasting them with the freedoms offered by physical media. It notes ongoing efforts in the EU and France to address these issues, while also pointing to PC storefronts like GOG.com as alternatives offering true ownership.
"This is all about control" - industry experts speak on Sony's move away from discs, and what this means for the PlayStation 6 and the cost of games
Sony has announced it will cease production of physical game discs in January 2028, a move industry experts believe signals a disc-less PlayStation 6 likely launching in 2028. This decision is expected to reduce console manufacturing costs and shift the market further towards digital distribution, impacting game pricing and consumer ownership. While some see it as a necessary evolution, concerns remain about preservation and the second-hand market.
PlayStation’s Disc-Free Future Is Starting to Look Like a Walled Garden
Sony Interactive Entertainment's decision to cease manufacturing physical game discs after January 2028 has been met with significant backlash, with many viewing it as a move towards a restrictive digital-only ecosystem. This shift prioritizes Sony's control over ownership and revenue, potentially alienating consumers and impacting retailers who rely on physical sales. The company's move is seen as a strategic business decision driven by increasing digital sales and a desire to control the market, rather than consumer preference.
Sony kills game ownership and says it's all your fault
Sony is phasing out physical game discs for new PlayStation titles by 2028, effectively ending the concept of game ownership as players will no longer be able to buy, sell, or preserve physical copies. This move, driven by business decisions and a lack of competition, raises concerns about game preservation, consumer rights, and the loss of tangible connection to games and their creators.
"Dynamic pricing it is", "prices will surely go up", "this is anti-consumer": the internet reacts with outrage and despair to PlayStation killing off physical media
Sony announced it will discontinue the production of physical game discs for all new PlayStation titles starting January 2028, shifting entirely to digital distribution. This decision has sparked widespread outrage and despair online, with consumers expressing concerns about rising prices, dynamic pricing experiments, and the potential loss of ownership over purchased digital content. The move also draws parallels to past controversies regarding digital-only releases and the removal of purchased digital movies from Sony's platform.
Issues and Activism
Preorders for Grand Theft Auto 6 may include an auto-renewing membership to an unwanted service. This practice raises concerns about consumer rights and transparency in game purchasing.
ESA VP calls Minecraft Community Servers “illegal,” which is an impressively stupid thing to say in an industry full of impressively stupid things already
An Entertainment Software Association VP called Minecraft community servers "illegal," a statement widely criticized as inaccurate and damaging. While individual servers can violate EULAs, the concept of community servers is officially supported by Mojang and Microsoft. This statement occurred during a California Senate committee hearing opposing the Protect Our Games Act, which aims to ensure players retain access to games after services shut down.
Minecraft servers are apparently "illegal," according to the Vice President of America's biggest gaming association
Jennifer Gibbons, Vice President of the Entertainment Software Association, stated that community-run Minecraft servers are "illegal" and akin to "piracy" during a California State Senate hearing. This statement contradicts Microsoft and Mojang's official promotion and support of community servers for the game. The hearing was regarding Assembly Bill 1921, which aims to protect players' access to server-dependent games.
"We were only three votes away": Stop Killing Games-backed California bill to keep online games playable fails to win over senate committee
A California bill, the Protect Our Games Act, which aimed to ensure online games remain playable or offer refunds when servers are shut down, failed to pass a senate committee vote. The bill, backed by the Stop Killing Games campaign, was three votes short of advancing. Despite the setback, campaigners plan to reintroduce the bill in future sessions and explore similar legislation in other states and at the federal level.
Nintendo Faces Lawsuit Over Tariff Refunds | TAG
Nintendo is facing a lawsuit from US players who claim that any tariff refunds the company receives from the government should be passed on to consumers. The lawsuit argues that Nintendo unfairly raised prices on its hardware and games due to tariffs imposed during the Trump administration and did not lower them when the tariffs were reduced or eliminated, pocketing the savings instead.
Stop Killing Games says 'the fight goes on' after European Commission rejects proposed rule changes: 'We're much more than just this single petition'
The European Commission has rejected proposed rule changes that would have required publishers to keep games operational after their servers shut down, citing existing intellectual property rights. Stop Killing Games, the organization behind the petition, stated that the fight for game preservation continues, with plans to adapt US legislation for the EU and build a 'Stop Killing the Internet' team.
Ubisoft co-founder Claude Guillemot has died in a plane crash
Ubisoft co-founder Claude Guillemot has died at the age of 69 in a plane crash. He was also the chairman of Guillemot Corp, which owns the accessories brand Thrustmaster. The article also touches on the European Commission's response to the 'Stop Killing Games' petition, agreeing to facilitate an industry code of conduct for managing the end-of-life for video games.
‘Stop Destroying Videogames’ – European Commission Responds to Initiative Supported by Over A Million Supporters
The European Commission has responded to the 'Stop Destroying Videogames' initiative, stating it cannot legally compel publishers to keep games playable indefinitely. While not proposing new legislation, the Commission will initiate industry discussions by the end of 2026 to draft a code of conduct for game end-of-life management and will raise awareness of existing consumer rights.
European Commission aims to facilitate code of conduct for managing "end of life" for games following Stop Killing Games petition
The European Commission will facilitate a discussion between the games industry and consumers to create a code of conduct for managing the end-of-life for video games, following a petition signed by 1.3 million people. While unable to legally mandate game preservation due to intellectual property rights, the EC will raise awareness of existing EU consumer laws that provide remedies for digital content and services no longer available as contracted.
