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Written question asked by Mike Martin (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 11 March 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 17 March 2025 (named day). It was answered by Chris Bryant (Labour) on Monday, 17 March 2025 on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Video Games

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of (a) protecting consumers from planned obsolescence in (i) video games and (ii) other digital software and (b) requiring publishers to make game content available for offline use upon server shutdown.

Answer

The Government is aware of issues relating to the life-span of digital content, including video games, and we appreciate the concerns of players of some games that have been discontinued. We have no plans to amend existing consumer law on digital obsolescence, but we will monitor this issue and consider the relevant work of the Competition and Market Authority (CMA) on consumer rights and consumer detriment.

Video games sellers must comply with existing consumer law, including the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (CRA) and Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (CPRs). However, there is no requirement in UK law for software companies to support older versions of their products. Decision-making is for those companies, taking account of commercial and regulatory factors and complying with existing consumer law.

There may be occasions where companies make decisions based on the high running costs of maintaining older servers for games with declining user bases. If software is offered for sale that is not supported by the provider, then this should be made clear, for example on product webpages and physical packaging.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
37451
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Consumers Protection Video games
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk