PlzGivHugsFeb 16, 2025

For different game store, legally, what happens if they close?

https://sh.itjust.works/post/32870740

For different game store, legally, what happens if they close? - sh.itjust.works

Yes, I know DRM-free means you can still physically play the games. Thats not what I’m asking. Sparked by a recent discussion about DRM, I’m wondering what happens legally when different game stores close. For example, if Steam shuts down, are licences presumed to presist or are they revoked? What about GOG, Itch.io [http://Itch.io] or Epic? I couldn’t find anything in the terms of service specifying.

Show threadAnubisFeb 16, 2025

Steam very specifically states that you buy a license for the game. Unless someone somehow takes over the license agreements with publishers, your game library disappears.

GOG very plainly states your ability to download game installers to have as a backup to prevent this ever being an issue. They could go under and say “you have 3 days to download your games before servers go offline” and you could.

Show threadPlzGivHugsFeb 16, 2025
You’re buying a licence either way. Its not like you can resell your GOG games or anything. They say you will have three days to backup your installer, but what happens to the licenses in either case? If they end when GOG or Steam go under, legally, it doesn’t matter what DRM is used.
Show threadKelly

store.steampowered.com/subscriber_agreement/

  • TERM AND TERMINATION

    • A. Term
    The term of this Agreement (the “Term”) commences on the date you first indicate your acceptance of these terms, and will continue in effect until otherwise terminated in accordance with this Agreement.

    B. Termination by You
    <snip>

    C. Termination by Valve
    Valve may restrict or cancel your Account or any particular Subscription(s) at any time in the event that (a) Valve ceases providing such Subscriptions to similarly situated Subscribers generally, or (b) you breach any terms of this Agreement (including any Subscription Terms or Rules of Use). In the event that your Account or a particular Subscription is restricted or terminated or cancelled by Valve for a violation of this Agreement or improper or illegal activity, no refund, including of any Subscription fees or of any unused funds in your Steam Wallet, will be granted.

    My reading of this is that licenses for sales (i.e. not subscriptions) are perpetual and will continue beyond the existence of Valve as a legal entity. Further Valve can’t revoke this license at their discretion, but only if the customer has been found to violate the platform ToS or Rules of Use.

    Of course many publishers add their own EULA to the sale so that may vary from title to title.

    Steam Subscriber Agreement

    Feb 16, 2025 at 4:33amWeb