UK Government Refuses to Strengthen Consumer Protections for Gamers Against Discontinued Live Service Games

The UK government has opted not to revise consumer laws to provide greater protection for gamers affected by the discontinuation or 'sunsetting' of live service games. A petition, which garnered over 10,000 signatures and was subsequently reviewed by the government, requested that regulators update consumer law to prevent publishers from disabling video games and related features without allowing customers to retain or repair them. In response, the government stated that it has no plans to amend UK consumer law regarding the disabling of video games, emphasizing that game sellers must comply with existing consumer law requirements and that the issue will continue to be monitored. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport acknowledged concerns about the operability of purchased products and recognized issues related to the lifespan of digital content, including video games. Although the government has no plans to amend existing consumer law on digital obsolescence, it will keep a close eye on the issue and consider the work of the Competition and Market Authority (CMA) on consumer rights. The government's response highlighted the protections available under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, noting that UK law does not require software companies to support older product versions. The statement also mentioned that companies may discontinue support for games with dwindling user bases due to high maintenance costs. Finally, the government reminded gamers that the Consumer Protection Regulations section of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 is expected to take effect in April 2025.