Abstract:
A new proposal in the United States called the "Protect Our Games Act" aims to protect digital game buyers from being unable to continue playing because developers shut down online servers after players paid for the game. The proposal is promoted by Pennsylvania Democratic Senator John Kaine; he has circulated a co-sponsor memorandum to state senators, hoping to push the proposal to the U.S. Senate for discussion and enlist the participation of all 50 states in the United States. However, the plan is not yet a formally proposed bill and is still in the initiative stage.
The proposal requires game developers to notify consumers at least 60 days in advance if they plan to stop operating the game or make changes that will affect game functions, such as shutting down online servers. After that, the developer must provide one of three remedies: make the game playable offline; issue a patch so that the game can continue to be used online without the developer's server; or refund players.
The refund amount will be based on the highest game selling price offered by the developer in the 12 months before the cessation of operations, and shall not be less than 25% of the original list price of the game.
The proposal does not apply to subscription services or games that do not require an Internet connection to play. The proposal holds that offline games, even though they are rare today, are not subject to this law; subscribers pay monthly, and developers do not need to bear additional obligations after terminating the subscription service.
This initiative is similar to the "Stop Killing Games" movement and reflects the desire of players around the world to continue playing purchased games in their own way. After a similar proposal failed to pass in California, Pennsylvania could be the next place to push for legislation. If the "Protect Our Games Act" is finally submitted to the U.S. Senate and passed for a vote, game manufacturers that provide services to the U.S. market will be subject to restrictions; until then, it is still just a proposal that has yet to be advanced.
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