Digital Ownership
Ongoing coverage on Digital Ownership.
Latest coverage
EU Parliament Takes Aim at Publishers Who Kill Your Games
The European Parliament has initiated a hearing to address whether publishers should be allowed to disable games that consumers have already purchased. This legislative body is examining the concept of digital ownership, questioning what it truly means to buy a digital game and whether publishers should be obligated to support games indefinitely or provide offline modes. The outcome of these discussions could lead to new laws impacting how games are sold and owned globally.
EU Parliament Takes Aim at Game-Killing Publishers This Week
The European Parliament is holding a public hearing on the 'Stop Destroying Videogames' initiative to address concerns about publishers shutting down servers for games that players have purchased. The initiative aims to establish clearer digital ownership rights and explore options for community-run servers after official ones are decommissioned. This move signifies a growing regulatory focus on consumer rights within the gaming industry, with potential implications for how games are sold and maintained.
Amazon Luna Purchased Games Will Be Unplayable After June 2026
Amazon is discontinuing individual game purchases and third-party subscriptions on its Luna cloud gaming service, meaning owned titles will become unplayable after June 10, 2026. While the company will not offer refunds, affected users may receive complementary Luna Premium subscriptions. Support for Bring Your Own Library, Jackbox Games, and Ubisoft+ subscriptions will also end on the same date.
Gamer Loses Entire Library After Microsoft Account Hack Goes Wrong
A PC gamer lost their entire digital game library after their Microsoft account was hacked and subsequently deleted by support. The incident highlights concerns about digital ownership and the vulnerability of game collections stored on corporate servers. This event serves as a cautionary tale for both gamers regarding account security and for companies like Microsoft on how to handle compromised accounts.
French consumer group sues Ubisoft due to The Crew shutdown
The French consumer group UFC-Que Choisir has filed a lawsuit against Ubisoft regarding the shutdown of the game The Crew. The group alleges that Ubisoft misled consumers about the permanence of their purchase and that its terms of service clauses are abusive. This action is supported by Stop Killing Games and aims to stop the practice of delisting games and to ensure players have ownership rights.
Fortnite Player Gets Hacked Account Back, Discovers Hacker’s Shopping Spree
A Fortnite player successfully recovered their hacked account, only to discover the hacker had spent money on in-game items. This unusual situation highlights ongoing issues with account security and the complexities of digital ownership in gaming. The incident also underscores the importance of strong security measures like two-factor authentication and the persistence required for account recovery.
French consumer group UFC-Que Choisir sues Ubisoft over The Crew shutdown
French consumer group UFC-Que Choisir is suing Ubisoft over the shutdown of its game, The Crew. Launched in 2014, the game was delisted in December 2023, and its servers were shut down in March 2024, rendering it unplayable. The lawsuit questions publishers' ability to revoke licenses for purchased games, impacting digital ownership and game preservation.
Back When AOL WAS the Internet – The TouchArcade Show #606 – TouchArcade
In Episode 606 of The TouchArcade Show, the hosts discuss their weekend plans, Patreon updates, and the latest version of iOS 18. They also delve into a discussion about whether the internet is more dangerous for children now compared to the 1990s and touch upon the challenges of physical versus digital ownership in gaming, specifically referencing Dungeons & Dragons.
Steam Gamer With 3,000 Games Sparks Debate Over Digital Library Inheritance
A discussion has emerged within the gaming community regarding the inheritance of digital game libraries, particularly on platforms like Steam. Users are questioning what happens to their purchased games upon death, as current terms of service generally treat game purchases as licenses rather than outright ownership, preventing library transfer.
"Game preservation only works if people care" As GOG doubles down on its commitment to saving old games, it's asking players "who give a s**t" to support its crusade
GOG is doubling down on its commitment to game preservation, with its new owner Michał Kiciński emphasizing the importance of players supporting the platform. The company is asking players to vote on its Dreamlist, join GOG Patrons, and purchase DRM-free titles to ensure the survival of older games. This initiative aims to keep original releases available and playable on modern systems.
