| > Under the proposed requirements, developers would be legally compelled to release server binaries or keep games in a functional, playable state indefinitely. I'm not seeing any statement with regards to online gaming requirements in the text. If a server-environment is required in order to play a game, the OBJECTIVE (not "requirement" as none of this is legal text so far) could also be fulfilled by transferring the server-framework to a third party which will continue operating the game in this state. In mid-term, this could create a market for a universal server-endpoint architecture, as developers will have to prepare for the eventual outcome of discontinuing the game and will look to simplify the process.
It could lead to an industry-collaboration for a standardized server-framework to save costs for end-of-life compliance for gaming-studios, with code-evolution secured by code-contributions from them (in self-interest as they need to prepare for the hand-over of their games) and operation financed by the standardization body providing licensed access for players to the archive of games (by granting limited monetization). It could also lead to a market of competing server-engine companies, which will license a server-platform and offer to take over the duties of keeping a game alive. - > Under the #StopKillingGames initiative, the studio would then be legally required to release the game’s server binaries. The attackers, having successfully driven the studio to this point [out of business] , can now take those binaries and create their own private server, monetizing the studio’s work for their own gain. To quote the initiative itself: The initiative does not seek to acquire ownership of said videogames, associated intellectual rights or monetization rights, neither does it expect the publisher to provide resources for the said videogame once they discontinue it while leaving it in a reasonably functional (playable) state.
So generally a legal obligation is bad because an illegal action could be used to force legal compliance to then proceed and create an illegal business? |