2024: Gamers Push Back on Erosion of Game Ownership
Gamers have long been concerned about the erosion of game ownership in the digital age. With physical media becoming less prominent and digital storefronts taking over, the questions surrounding ownership have become more pressing. In 2024, these concerns reached a tipping point as gamers realized that many games were simply disappearing from online platforms.
One notable example is Concord, a high-profile AAA shooter backed by PlayStation, which shuttered after only 11 days. This trend of games vanishing from storefronts and becoming unplayable due to online elements has raised alarm bells for many gamers. The fear of spending money on a game that may not be playable in the future is all too real.
In response to these worries, the Stop Killing Games campaign was launched. This movement aims to challenge the industry’s practices that limit consumer rights and media preservation. Led by advocates like Ross Scott, the campaign seeks to rally support through online petitions and push for regulatory change. The goal is to classify video games as goods rather than services to prevent them from being rendered inoperable by sellers post-purchase.
While some arguments may seem extreme, the campaign has the potential to enact real change. By gathering signatures for a petition that could prompt the EU to consider a ban on making multiplayer games unplayable, Stop Killing Games is making waves in the gaming community. With over 400,000 signatures and counting, the campaign is a powerful force in the fight for game ownership rights.
