California has introduced a groundbreaking law, AB 2426, set to take effect in 2025, requiring retailers to inform consumers that digital games can be revoked at any time.
This initiative addresses the growing frustration among gamers over the lack of genuine ownership in digital goods. Inspired by incidents involving companies like Ubisoft and Sony, this law is a wake-up call for the gaming industry and an endorsement of Web3 technology’s potential to restore true ownership to players.
Before the internet era, gamers could purchase physical copies of their favorite games, truly owning the experience. However, with digital gaming, ownership has become conditional. Game publishers often control access to the game even after purchase, essentially making ownership a relic of the past.
Many gamers who have witnessed the not-so-gradual transition from the freedom of physical cartridge ownership to today’s unlock access approach are recognizing the lack of ownership in gaming. Publishers are free to continually sell new expansions that require ongoing purchases for players to stay competitive, and they’re free to clean out player accounts for violations of a multitude of terms and conditions as they see fit.
In early 2024, Ubisoft’s Director of Subscriptions, Philippe Tremblay spoke on the importance of getting gamers comfortable not owning their games. SOURCE
California Making Moves
It’s no surprise that California is the first state in the US to pass legislation intended to protect consumers from being misinformed when “purchasing” access to digital games.
This new warning label law acknowledges the problem but doesn’t solve it—players often still lack real control over their digital assets, even if they will be made aware of the real situation. This is where Web3 comes in.
At Gala, we’re building an ecosystem that empowers gamers to own their digital experiences and assets permanently. With blockchain technology, players regain control over many aspects of their gaming experiences, such as land, characters and items, ensuring that no central authority can revoke access without their consent.
The new California law is a reminder that the gaming industry must evolve, and Web3 is the key to making that transformation a reality.
With the power of web3, Gala Games is poised to reclaim ownership control for gamers all over the world in a way they have never known. For more details, check out this original PC Gamer article
