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

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

[gold_drake]

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

god i hate this

[just_looken]

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

[gold_drake]

absolutely

[ModsDoBetter]

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.

[ravens52]

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_looken]

@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.

[dumahim]

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-]

^ 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.

[Cacabunga]

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

[TallDarknWavy]

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

[Z501]

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

[VariantAEC]

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.

[Zeref]

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

[gold_drake]

yes.

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

[Redgrave]

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.

[CrimsonWing69]

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

[gold_drake]

no, thats quite true.

[Crows90]

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.

[Christopher]

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.

[Christopher]

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.

[PRIMORDUS]

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

[Hofstaderman]

Thank you for saying what we all thinking.

[S2Killinit]

@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.

[PRIMORDUS]

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.

[Michiel1989]

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.

[purple101]

They just ended themselves
Bravo

[XiNatsuDragnel]

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_looken]

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.

[Kaozz1979]

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

[S2Killinit]

@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.

[shinoff2183]

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

[just_looken]

@s2

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

[ravens52]

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

[dumahim]

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

[Christopher]

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.

[Hofstaderman]

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

[XiNatsuDragnel]

Ofc

[Ps5conehead]

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

[-Foxtrot]

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

[just_looken]

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.

[Crows90]

...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...

[CS7]

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

[ModsDoBetter]

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.

[ravens52]

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

[SimpleDad]

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

[ChasterMies]

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_looken]

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.

[GoodGuy09]

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

[jznrpg]

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.

[Kaii]

Imagine dropping this change when you have zero bangers since OW 2016
Ah Overwatch 1 . . . something that doesn't exist today, well it does . . . It was "taken" and re-released with revolutionary monetization.

Blizzard isn't the only one dropping these types of terms, mostly all companies do this 💩 welcome to the modern age, it truly sucks.

[NotoriousWhiz]

Nah. The modern age is great. There are so many choices out there, I can skip every Blizzard title and still have plenty of quality options out there. More than I can play in my lifetime.

[Jingsing]

You mean new Microsoft agreement, Stop pretending Activision Blizzard are operating independently.

[MetroidFREAK21]

Lol see if I ever buy a Blizzard game again

[S2Killinit]

Rent* “see if I ever rent* a blizzard game again”

lol Sorry I couldn't help it.

[MetroidFREAK21]

Heh

[jznrpg]

MS buys them and now you don’t own your games. Sounds like Xbox One reveal. I already avoid ABK EA Ubisoft who’s wants to be next ?

[Gamerscore2077]

This is why I switched backed to buying physical. These companies are getting out of hand with their decision making.

This is an irredeemably stupid decision on Blizzard’s part & I hope they pay for it severely.

[S2Killinit]

Lol good job MS. Real good player in the industry.

[Aloymetal]

And then MS and some people wonder why most gamers around the planet don't care for the brand and its games.
The most scum, cancerous and shady corp by a mile. I'm not even upset about this because the more dirt they throw on themselves (MS) the better;)

[S2Killinit]

From article:

“in a forced new update of their user agreement, it is announced in plain language that you no longer own your digital games at Blizzard. The exact new text reads:

Your use of the Platform is licensed, not sold, to you, and you hereby acknowledge that no title or ownership with respect to the Platform or the Games is being transferred or assigned and this Agreement should not be construed as a sale of any rights..”

F* that. And through an UPDATE!

[Petebloodyonion]

And this is why we need to have strong legislation in place to make sure that consumers are protected when they purchase a 70$ game.
If not situations like Funanimation will become the norm in the industry.
https://www.howtogeek.com/f...

[vTuro24]

I must say, Blizzard has been on quite the clown streak. I wonder what stunt they'll pull next.

[DarXyde]

Grateful for my backlog extending back to PS2 on days like this.

[helicoptergirl]

Shameful from Blizzard and Microsoft

[gigoran8]

"Brah, game consoles, games, and movies should all be digital. Why you all so hung up on physical media? Get over yourselves, boomers, and get with the future!"

(same guy)

"how DARE you take away games and movies that I purchased digitally!"

[CantThinkOfAUsername]

Sony and Funimation moment.

[VincentVanBro]

Thankfully I don’t buy anything from Blizzard any more.

[Hedstrom]

That could be ok if they priced it after that. Say they cut the price to 20$ and you get the game for a year. But if they keep the prices and Rob you of your ownership by hiding it behind "user agreements" they can fuck off!

[Charlieboy333]

"Say they cut the price to 20$ and you get the game for a year" sorry but that sounds like a really shit idea

[Inverno]

Drink up me hearties yo ho

[S2Killinit]

Lol
What do we do with the drunken sailor…

[StoneTitan]

Thx phil

[Export]

Pirate game it is ... since you cant own it

[SimpleDad]

You can't, they are all pretty much live service battle pass titles.

[shinoff2183]

Didn't fk with blizzard games anyway.

[WiiU-Dude]

All the more to emulate

[shinoff2183]

It's flat out robbery. Fk blizzard

[purple101]

I’m sitting here “trying to work out who this benefits”

[HellspawnPR1981]

We never did so why is this news?

[gleepot]

This isn't a big deal. You don't own your physical games either, you own a license to play said game.

[Charlieboy333]

But in 15 years you can still put your PS5 disc in and install and play it.....even without an internet connection. If they for some reason decide to pull a game from the system, they aren't going to everyone's houses to confiscate the discs are they? With digital they can just remove the ability to play it. So I don't agree with you.....having a physical version with game on disc is ALWAYS better.

[PRIMORDUS]

I torrented all I can from Blizzard. The only game I ever bought from them was the original Overwatch. Thanks for the heads up Blizzard I know I will never buy from you ever again.

[BlaqMagiq1]

Physical>Digital now and forever. They can't take away something sitting on your shelf.

[Shane Kim]

I guess this is why piracy is needed.

[Knightofelemia]

So you sell me a license to use your game. This is why I prefer physical and won't go digital unless I have to. I think this might be the newest trend companies will pull from now on.

[Simon_the_sorcerer]

I called this BS over 15-years ago...And now it's about to become an reality...

[blacktiger]

Microsoft

[clevernickname]

Companies never think these things through. Now you own a license, which means if you obtain a copy of the game through other means you have the right to play the game.

[PapaBop]

Well we haven't fully owned our consoles for a while now so can't say I'm surprised. Still, how the mighty have fallen.. remember when Blizzard were owned and run by gamers? It's sad that this can legally stand, whatever happened to consumer laws that protected consumers? I guess I'm being naive.

[z2g]

Wake the f*** up and come back to reality…. You NEVER DID.

if ANYONE READS THEIR END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT (eula) it will tell you that you have purchased a right to play a copy of their game on your hardware. The only thing you own is the serial number or the disc it came on. This just makes language even more plain than it already was. You can disagree and agree with me, but that’s reality whether you like it or not. Sorry.

[Christopher]

Misleading. This actually says you don't even own the serial number or the disc (because it requires the serial number).

[dmonee]

So at some point, gamers might be like “screw this! I want physical copies of games!” Again?

[CobraKai]

This is what modern gamers want. They have accepted this.

[FullmetalRoyale]

G.F.Y.
Sorry. But, G.F.Y.

[RhinoGamer88]

Bobby Kotick's ghost laughs at your outrage!

[Barlos]

Hasn't this been the case with games for a long time now though, especially when bought digitally?

Not saying it's right, but most games are this way now. It's why I don't buy digital games.

[tmsi05]

Seams they are forcing people to Game Pass

[Majors]

Ok if this is the case Then we should be able to play our licenced product on ANY system we own and not have to buy them multiple times...

[Rols]

Don’t “buy” or license Blizzard games anymore.

[Aussiesummer]

Therefore I will not pay for them.....

[Shikoku]

the end of used video games for cheaper prices and the end of being able to collect games and own them.

[Ryzza5]

Please check out stopkillinggames . com as you may be able to help take action in the latest campaign designed to fight this.