600°

Blizzard's new user agreement: You no longer own your games

Blizzard only lets you license its products digitally now, not own copies.

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gamereactor.eu
gold_drake32d ago

and so it begins. one company starts, other will unfortunately follow suit.

god i hate this

just_looken31d ago

Well do not read the sony tos so many forgot PT era then you got nintendio many they like shutting down stores.

Every company even your phones has this in some form already

ModsDoBetter30d ago

Getting downvotes because it doesn't fit the narrative that boo! Microsoft bad! 😂

True, they're all at it!

Ubisoft recently wanting consumers to be comfortable with not owning their games.

ravens5230d ago

Not for nothing but Sony just opened a production line in Brazil. They plan to make physical media for Latin America. Doesn't look like Sony is going the all digital route like MS. I'll continue to purchase my games physically to avoid this 😁. Tried to tell y'all.

just_looken30d ago

@raven

Yes the made that but there is alot of games that need server check that become coaster after that server is gone like the avengers game.

dumahim30d ago

Isn't store shutdowns really a different issue though? As I understand it, shutting down the store isn't removing your ability to play the games. The Xbox 360 storefront is shutting down in July, but they've confirmed you can not only still play your games, but download stuff you already purchased. Same with the Wii. Store shut down years ago but you can still download your purchases.

DOMination-30d ago

^ For the most part, you can download games you've purchased before.

However, there have been exceptions in the past and there certainly won't be any guarantees in future. Games that have licensed music or characters seem to have the biggest issues here.

Cacabunga30d ago

I’ll never buy any software from them ever again.. i don’t remember last ABZ game i got i can easily keep the trend..
I hope most will boycott, so others think before deciding something this dumb

TallDarknWavy30d ago

The best way to combat this is simply buy more physical media and send a message that this is a demand that will not disappear

Z50130d ago

Wasn't that Konami's doing?
(I still own and can play PT. Just can't re-download)

VariantAEC28d ago

Definitely true
PSN Store: 8.4: "No Resale or Commercial Use. You must be an end user to purchase from PlayStation Store. Resellers, as determined by us in our sole discretion, are prohibited. When you order Content from PlayStation Store, you buy a personal license to use that Content for private, non-commercial use. That license is not transferable unless your local applicable laws say it must be. This means you can use a Product in the ways described in the license, but do not own the Product."
This verbiage is not applicable to physical media on PS directly, but there are software terms for physical media as well. The thing is PS (and all companies) have no clue what you do with physical media and they can't do much about it not even PS as they admit even banning your console doesn't prevent access to disc-based games.

+ Show (7) more repliesLast reply 28d ago
Zeref30d ago (Edited 30d ago )

This isn't new. Most big videogame companies already do this. Including Sony.

gold_drake30d ago

yes.

but not quite like this. or they dont spell it out like that

Redgrave30d ago

It doesn't matter who is enforcing it. Some do not have the brain capacity to navigate this without making it a fanboy issue, and you aren't parting water by specifically naming Sony.

This is a universal bad, plain and simple. We are losing rights to our hobby across the entirety of it, and still people can only go "lol sony bad / ms bad". These same brainlets will ultimately be responsible for ushering in this era instead of pushing back because brand loyalty is more important than gaming as a whole.

CrimsonWing6930d ago

I mean I thought this has been the case. You’re only buying a license to play the games… am I wrong about that?

Crows9030d ago

It's called legal theft

When someone pays for a product but have no rights to it. Said company can take away what you paid for on a whim.

There's no real legitimate moral reason for companies to act upon it but they do and it shouldn't be taken lightly.

At least we can still borrow games from others...that's still legal.

Christopher30d ago

You're buying a key to unlock the digital files, which typically are stored and validated on the storefront from which the game was purchased. This says you don't even own that key, meaning it can be removed for any reason and you can't contest it and neither can the storefront stop it, even if it's a mistake or they just decide to remove access entirely based on their whim. It's the opposite of game preservation, essentially, even for SP games w/o any online requirements.

On top of this, they, where applicable because of severability with regard to regions that don't allow it, you aren't allowed to take them to court over their decision to remove access, but you must enter arbitration with them, which means you get nothing because they just tell you no and that's it.

This is why the FTC is supposed to exist, to prevent these obviously corporate control methods. But, hey, no, let's call them incompetent, defund them, and let companies dictate what is right. It's always in the best interest of the consumer.

Christopher30d ago

Not going to feel any compunction about pirating their games, then. Why pay money to own nothing when I can get the same from downloading it elsewhere? If you want my money, give me ownership and not just a subscription to a digital key you can revoke at any time.

PRIMORDUS30d ago

Exactly, if buying isn't owning, pirating isn't stealing. 😁🏴‍☠️

Hofstaderman30d ago

Thank you for saying what we all thinking.

30d ago
S2Killinit29d ago (Edited 29d ago )

@Lomugi
Which PS studio has this policy in their agreement that you no longer own the games you buy from them?

Im actually asking.

Dont defend MS to world’s end.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 29d ago
PRIMORDUS30d ago (Edited 30d ago )

Torrent all you can now, and if more show up and can be torrented take them to. I already posted some torrent links of their games on their Twitter account and told them to fuck off. Probably will not matter, but other people will see that and maybe I helped influence them to torrent to LOL.

Michiel198930d ago

so it begins? you been living under a rock? It's been like that since forever now. You never owned any of the games you bought digitally, just a license to use the software.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 28d ago
purple10132d ago

They just ended themselves
Bravo

XiNatsuDragnel32d ago

Congratulations you've proven my and many other digital doubters right. Physical >>> Digital for life. Also Blizzard Congratulations shooting yourself in the foot too.

just_looken31d ago

at this point there is no foot they are bones at best im not surprised by this but physical has drm/server check ins aswell as all the live service crap so alot of $70 coaster's out there.

Kaozz197930d ago

Thats the thing. Yes you have a physical copy but if systems are in place for you to verify online then whats the point.

S2Killinit30d ago (Edited 30d ago )

@Kaozz1979 @just_lookin

The one thing we still get with physical, is that the market controls the price you buy it at. So, If its old, you buy it for what the market says its worth, not what the digital store says its worth.

shinoff218330d ago

Most physical disc don't have check ins though. I personally don't play online so that's nothing to me.

just_looken30d ago

@s2

So true there are digital games still full price years later but get a disc fraction of the cost.

ravens5230d ago

Physical live service and multiplayer games*. All of the single player games I have are playable out of the box, thanks.

dumahim30d ago

Yeah, but at least with physical I still get the coaster. Digital you get nothing!

Christopher30d ago

Let's not conflate one issue (Live Service games eventually being retired) with another (we decide how and what you own, not you). They're both issues, but this one is more severe as it applies to all games they produce, not just ones reliant on servers.

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 30d ago
Hofstaderman30d ago

Well they belong to MS now so shooting themselves in the foot is essentially company policy....

Ps5conehead30d ago

You do realize with disk, it validates the license they can stop that as easy.

-Foxtrot32d ago

How’s that digital future going people keep bigging up?

just_looken31d ago

Well its been around on pc for 10+years

Oh right that is a dream we never talk about

Lets us be shocked when all the pc issues show up on consoles years later as pc players be dealing with this aswell as new store front's like the horrific ea app removing digital purchases.

Crows9030d ago (Edited 30d ago )

...c'mon...don't pretend PC gamers are actually concerned about the digital only situation....how else do you think people share games on PC?

Digitally...

CS730d ago

Sad reality is the physicals are going to start requiring online check in too if we don't push back.

ModsDoBetter30d ago (Edited 30d ago )

They tried it before and they'll try it again!

We see evidence everywhere from games with single player modes forcing an online collection: Helldivers being a recent example.

ravens5230d ago (Edited 30d ago )

Helldivers is a Live Service game. It requires you to be online. All if not most online games require you to "check in".

SimpleDad30d ago

Everyone clicked ''Yes'' so digital future is just fine.

ChasterMies30d ago (Edited 30d ago )

Back when digital was not an option, I still didn’t keep games. I usually sold games on Craigslist. I would also trade games with friends and family. For the entire OG Xbox and Xbox 360 generation, I only bought 5 games new, all Halo games, and none at full price. You might recall that publishers started including content via download code to penalized players for buying used. If digital wasn’t taking over, we’d be back there. So if I’m renting versus buying, I don’t care so long as the price is attractive.

just_looken30d ago

Your talking about the ea online pass to "curve cheating" bs

I too sold some stuff in the past i wish i did not but now i go more digital unless the game is truly offline like bulders gate 3 that physical copy is yours always.

But the future is gamepass/ps subs for sure renting is far cheaper like the blockbuster days were you rent a game before buying it.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 30d ago
GoodGuy0932d ago

Why I grab AAA games on sales most of the time now.

jznrpg30d ago

I buy some games day 1 but I do buy less games day 1 than I ever have before. Still need to get Infinite Wealth, DD2, P3 remake and a few others but I’m still playing other games so I wait until I have time.

Show all comments (103)
110°

Outriders Dev's Next Game Has Been Canceled After Publishing Agreement With Take-Two Fell Through

Outriders developer People Can Fly's next game has been canceled after its publishing agreement with Take-Two Interactive fell through.

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twistedvoxel.com
Tacoboto1d 16h ago

"the capital group of PCF Group S.A."

If you're getting funding from a group that needs two different ways of Acronyming itself, things will not go the way you want them to.

banger881d 11h ago

If it was more online-only crap then good riddance.

jjb198121h ago

Outriders was crap. They slapped that game together and threw in a loot system to get players' attention. This game was absolutely jank and the always online nonsense made it stutter like crazy. People Can't Optimize.

thorstein20h ago

I liked Outriders but I could see where the artistic vision was compromised. The way the industry is now, it wouldn't surprise me that upper management would scrap something that didn't pull in money via gaas, mts, or other means.

290°

Microsoft’s Surface and Xbox hardware revenues take a big hit in Q3

Microsoft just posted the third quarter of its 2024 fiscal financial results. The software maker made $61.9 billion in revenue and a net income of $21.9 billion during Q3. Revenue is up 17 percent, and net income has increased by 20 percent.

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theverge.com
darthv721d 14h ago

Xbox content + services up 62% while hardware down 31%... seems about right with the way they tout you don't need the hardware to play. People can play on their phones or smart tv or other means. I don't hardly play on my consoles directly since getting devices like the logitech g-cloud and ps portal. Which is to also say I have been playing more digital than physical because of these devices.

solideagle1d 1h ago

you should apply in MS PR team buddy, I think you will do a great job in my humble opinion :)

Sonic188122h ago

I thought darthv72 and Obscure_Observer already work for Microsoft 🤔

dveio22h ago

MS: "Xbox services and content without AB up 1%, with AB up 62%. Hardware down 31%. In total a loss of 350 mill."

darthv72: "Seems about right."

MS: "Excuse m ..."

darthv72: "I don't hardly play on my consoles directly."

MS:

Lightning7717h ago

What he said was facts. How he plays games is no concern of you. Don't get too mad about it.

Cacabunga1d ago

I can tell people like you are an absolute minority..

If service is up means their fans and fanboys accepted this model and subscribed to it. The near future you will see a big decline because the service is saturated.

darthv7210h ago

to you it may seem like the minority... but your bubble is shrinking because more and more are following suit. convenience is a hell of a drug and its also why physical sales only amount to 30% of overall game sales. times are changing, you either get with them or you get left behind.

neutralgamer19925h ago

Darth

30% physical sales: yet Phil and xbox division are in a rush go give up on that 30%. they don't have any right to give up any piece of the pie since the control such a little of the pie to begin with

also, the market is clearly speaking that the model Xbox is pushing isn't working right now the keyword being right now. you are right about freedom to play anywhere so i hope they put their games on steam

shinoff21831d ago

But that's been ms for years. When things aren't going their way they try to change the way things are said. For instance console sales are down, they stop telling how many sold instead telling us how many hours spent in halo or headshots. So it makes sense console sales down just say people are playing on more devices then previous. What they won't say is how many xbox players jumped ship to ps5.

Cacabunga22h ago

Hardware sales are so bad that Sony and Nintendo are blowing the sales off the water with their hardware.

If Xbox are losers, others aren’t..
Xbox already tried everything with Xbox live then subscriptions went down so much that they had to find something else. Their fans subscribed then reached saturation rather quickly.

Hardware and exclusive games is where it’s at! Keep gamers excited, announce decent software and people will support you

itsmebryan18h ago

@shin
Well keep it simple Sony 's operating income is down 26% and Microsoft's is up 32%. No MS spin there, just facts. 😉
Cheers

S2Killinit11h ago

MS is after diminishing consoles as a medium. They want to destroy this market because they couldnt win. MS’s vision is to dissolve console gaming.

romulus2317h ago

Odd that a company that touts you dont need the hardware to play is already touting another console in the works.

darthv7217h ago

They are not reliant on the HW but still want to maintain a presence (no matter how small) is a good thing. It shows commitment to the craft. It reminds me of SNK and how they made games for their own hardware (Neo Geo) while also making them for others because they knew there was a market to do so. They knew they would sell more to others but also sell to their own niche fan base.

TheEroica11h ago(Edited 11h ago)

Perfectly reasonable post down voted by insecure corporation friendly folk.... But not gamers. Real gamer want accessibility and ease of acquisition for all.... Company shills are the only ones still telling us that hardware locking people from games is good for us.

Chevalier6h ago

@Darth

You should stop parroting metrics like an idiot without context.

"Xbox content and services revenue grew 62% in Q3 from a year earlier, “driven by 61 points of net impact” from the purchase of the third-party video game giant, Microsoft said."

61 of the 62% was from their merger so net increase is ONLY 1%

https://www.mesaonline.org/...

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 5h ago
purple1011d 3h ago

Xbox hardware revenue tanks to lowest point of Xbox Series generation

Profchaos1d 3h ago

I'm not surprised surface is struggling they aren't relevant anymore

DOMination-16h ago

In the last two years they've started exiting the consumer market altogether. All of the newest Surface products are business models only. They can't seem to work out what they want to do with it.

XBManiac1d 2h ago

Too expensive hardware when others offer the same or more for less? Good work, Green Team.

SimpleDad1d 2h ago (Edited 1d 2h ago )

"Despite some early successes for Xbox games on rival platforms, Xbox hardware is down by a massive 31 percent this quarter."
"Without Activision Blizzard, Microsoft’s overall gaming revenue would have actually declined this quarter."
"Xbox content and services would have only been up a single percent without Activision Blizzard..."
"It looks like next quarter is going to be a similar story for gaming at Microsoft, too."

That is crazy... so A/B/K is carrying the whole Xbox gaming.
Oh and Microsoft will be fine. Windows, Office and Cloud are growing with each pc purchase.

purple1011d 1h ago

Activision: "we gonna need a bigger rucksack/backpack please"

Microsoft: "why's that"

Activision: "to carry yo' weak ass'

Profchaos1d 1h ago (Edited 1d 1h ago )

Top brass have also wanted to start seeing returns on the 100 billion they have put into various Xbox related moves so seeing more multiplatform games is highly likely especially from abk

It's basically saying that PlayStation is the reason Xbox is afloat right now thinks to Ps5 versions of COD

Kornholic1d ago

So basically PS and PC gamers' money is keeping Xbox on life support.

MrDead17h ago

The only growth MS will get out of the console industry is if it supports it's rivals platforms. Xbox is a pointless machine now. I can see them on a big push for live next, and they won't give up on trying to buy Steam.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 17h ago
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90°

An Update on This Year’s BlizzCon and Blizzard’s 2024 Live Events

Blizzard writes: "After careful consideration over the last year, we at Blizzard have made the decision not to hold BlizzCon in 2024. This decision was not made lightly as BlizzCon remains a very special event for all of us, and we know many of you look forward to it. While we’re approaching this year differently and as we have explored different event formats in the past, rest assured that we are just as excited as ever to bring BlizzCon back in future years."

Read Full Story >>
blizzcon.com
PRIMORDUS1d 11h ago

How about you not hold Blizzcon anymore period. You fucking POS company. I really hope Blizzard would just die.