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- The Californian government is passing a new law that will force companies to admit digital content is merely a license.
- Companies that don’t comply could face false advertising charges.
- This law is being implemented after Ubisoft revoked access to The Crew purchases a few months back.
Digital gaming has taken over the industry today but has some glaring drawbacks. The most obvious is the issue of licenses, with many fearing for the protection of their digital libraries.
It has long been said that digital purchases can never be equated to proper ownership. Fans have argued that buying digital games is more akin to purchasing a license, and it seems the government agrees.
A new law requires stores to highlight this fact from the beginning, removing the ambiguity that still exists in such purchases.
Why it matters: Companies that refuse to comply with this law will face charges of false advertising.
Californian Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a new law. This law aims to combat the sudden disappearance of digital purchases, something that has been observed in the gaming industry.
While it won’t prohibit companies from taking down digital content, the law requires stores to refrain from using terms like “buy” or “purchase” unless they also clearly state that customers won’t receive unrestricted access.
This effectively means that stores must clarify that these purchases can be taken away at any point. The law will come into effect next year and is said to be a direct response to Ubisoft’s decision to take The Crew offline.
As retailers continue to pivot from physical media, the need for consumer protection has become increasingly more important.
-Assembly Member From California
As stated earlier, The Crew was rendered completely useless earlier this year after Ubisoft removed the game from libraries. Elsewhere, the likes of Marvel’s Avengers and Spec Ops: The Line have been delisted in the past.
These instances show why this law could be so important for the gaming industry moving forward.
Ultimately, this is an attempt at ensuring consumers know what they’re buying with digital content. Companies will still retain the right to take content down at any moment, but the customer will be aware that this can happen.
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[Senior News Reporter]
Avinash is currently pursuing a Business degree in Australia. For more than 5 years, he has been working as a gaming journalist, utilizing his writing skills and love for gaming to report on the latest updates in the industry. Avinash loves to play action games like Devil May Cry and has also been mentioned on highly regarded websites, such as IGN, GamesRadar, GameRant, Dualshockers, CBR, and Gamespot.
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