The basic idea is that if your game is designed in such a way that it must be always online to substantially function…
… when that always online support ends, you must provide a final patch and release enough of the server architecture that, if people wanted to, indpendently, they at least could set up their own version of the serverside stuff.
Either that, or, you must refund all microtransactions made in that always online world that is now by definition, impossible to access.
If microtransactions are digital goods, then shutting down the servers without any ability to emulate/run them yourself is the equivalent of half of your closet’s contents disappearing from existence when the clothing brand goes out of business.
It depends on what you mean by “charge money”. Subscription monthly payment? Not affected. One-time purchase? Affected.
Essentially, if your average consumer would understand that you “bought” the game, then that game cannot be rendered completely inoperable. When the studio shuts down their servers, they must provide either a version of the game with multiplayer and server connection disabled, or provide a means for players to run their own servers.
I thought the stop killing games was only for games that charge money to play and that live service games would not be affected.
Am I wrong here?
The basic idea is that if your game is designed in such a way that it must be always online to substantially function…
… when that always online support ends, you must provide a final patch and release enough of the server architecture that, if people wanted to, indpendently, they at least could set up their own version of the serverside stuff.
Either that, or, you must refund all microtransactions made in that always online world that is now by definition, impossible to access.
If microtransactions are digital goods, then shutting down the servers without any ability to emulate/run them yourself is the equivalent of half of your closet’s contents disappearing from existence when the clothing brand goes out of business.
It depends on what you mean by “charge money”. Subscription monthly payment? Not affected. One-time purchase? Affected.
Essentially, if your average consumer would understand that you “bought” the game, then that game cannot be rendered completely inoperable. When the studio shuts down their servers, they must provide either a version of the game with multiplayer and server connection disabled, or provide a means for players to run their own servers.