According to the latest Steam news, Steam has updated its checkout process to inform users that when they purchase a digital product, they are only acquiring a license to use the game, not ownership of the game itself. This new warning appears right before the final payment step, making sure customers are aware of the conditions of their purchase before completing the transaction.
The statement specifically reads, “A purchase of a digital product grants a license for the product on Steam.”
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This change is primarily in response to California’s AB 2426 law, which was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom and will go into effect in 2025.
The law mandates that digital marketplaces such as Steam, PlayStation and Ubisoft inform customers that they are purchasing a license to use digital media rather than gaining ownership of the product. Companies must not use terms like buy or purchase unless they specify that it refers to a license.
According to the latest Steam news, AB 2426 prohibits digital storefronts from using misleading terminology that suggests consumers have full ownership over the digital products they purchase.
The law requires platforms to use plain language that clearly conveys the nature of the transaction as the purchase of a license, not the product itself. Non-compliance with this law could result in fines for false advertising.
While AB 2426 is a California-specific law, Steam has taken a step by introducing this warning globally. This means that even users in regions outside California such as the UK and other international markets, will now see this notice before they complete a purchase.
Steam’s new license warning is not limited to the US.
The need for this warning arose after several incidents where users lost access to their purchased games. One of the examples was Ubisoft’s deletion of The Crew from player libraries when its servers were shut down.
Many users, who had paid full price for the game, were unable to play it once the servers went offline. While Ubisoft eventually added offline modes to The Crew 2 and The Crew Motorfest, the original title was never reinstated.
When purchasing a license for a game or digital media, consumers are only granted permission to access and use the content under specific conditions.
According to the latest Steam news, this license can be revoked or modified based on various factors including server shutdowns, changes in platform policy or legal requirements.
Unlike physical copies of games or media that can be owned indefinitely, licenses are subject to change and do not confer permanent ownership rights.
Digital storefronts such as Steam have operated under the model of selling licenses, but this hasn’t always been made clear to consumers.
As digital sales have grown in popularity, fewer people are purchasing physical copies of games or media and with this shift, the need for consumer protection has increased.
AB 2426 is designed to make sure that consumers fully understand the implications of purchasing digital content and are aware that they are not acquiring permanent ownership.
One exception to the AB 2426 law is the use of offline installers. Platforms like Good Old Games, which provide DRM-free games that can be permanently downloaded and used without an internet connection, are not subject to the same rules.
According to the latest Steam news, consumers who purchase games from GOG can download an installer that ensures they can always access and play their game even if the platform or its servers are no longer available.
Steam games typically require users to connect to the platform to verify the license before playing, reinforcing the difference between owning a game and licensing one.
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One of the biggest issues with licensed digital games is the potential for users to lose access to their purchased content if the platform or game servers go offline.
Ubisoft delisted and removed access to the original The Crew from players’ libraries after shutting down its servers. This means that even those who paid full price for the game could no longer play it.
Gamers have expressed concerns about the longevity of their purchases. When game servers shut down or if a game is removed from the platform, players lose access to the content they’ve licensed.
This creates a sense of impermanence, as users cannot be sure how long their purchases will last. Unlike physical copies, digital games cannot be inherited.
Currently, there’s no mechanism for passing along digital game libraries to family members after a gamer’s death.
According to the latest Steam news, although the European Union is considering legislation that would make digital content inheritable, no such rules are in place as of now.
In response to Steam’s new notice, GOG, a digital distribution platform known for offering DRM-free games, made a humorous yet pointed statement on X .
GOG’s post reads, “A purchase of a digital product on GOG grants you its Offline Installers, which cannot be taken away from you.”
GOG’s response is a jab at platforms like Steam that license games, highlighting that GOG users get access to offline installers that remain accessible even if the store or game servers go offline.
Steam’s decision to add the licensing notice points to the terms outlined in its Steam Subscriber Agreement. This agreement lays out the details of how licensing works on the platform, explaining that Steam merely grants users the right to use the games they purchase under specific conditions.
The agreement also grants Steam the right to revoke access to a game or terminate a user’s account under certain circumstances.
According to the latest Steam news, the new law and Steam’s updated practices have debates about digital game preservation. Many gamers are concerned that, as digital platforms evolve and game servers close, many titles will become unplayable or inaccessible.
This has led to movements like Stop Killing Games, which advocates for the preservation of older games and criticizes companies for delisting or shutting down digital content without providing offline alternatives.
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