The UK government has rejected calls to update consumer laws to prevent publishers from disabling live service games without options for players to retain or repair them.
A petition with over 13,000 signatures urged regulators to prohibit companies from shutting down purchased games and related features.
However, the government responded that it has “no plans to amend UK consumer law on disabling video games,” stating that existing laws, including the Consumer Rights Act 2015, already provide protections.
“The Government recognises concerns raised by video games users regarding the operability of purchased products,” the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said. It acknowledged issues surrounding the lifespan of digital content but emphasized that maintaining older games can be costly for businesses.
While there is no legal requirement for companies to support discontinued games, the government noted that sellers must comply with consumer laws, ensuring that digital content is of satisfactory quality and as described. If a game fails to meet these standards, players may be entitled to repairs, replacements, or refunds.
The government will continue monitoring the issue, working with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to assess consumer rights and potential harm. However, for now, no legal changes are planned.
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