Digital ownership of games was after all an illusion

The new message on Steam’s shopping cart now reminds the customers that they do not own the game they are paying for. Rather they are only obtaining the license to play the game.

Shortly, a new law will be passed to redefine the ownership perception regarding the games in digital libraries. This law will require the storefronts to use terms like “buy” only if they also inform the customers that they are only buying the license instead of the game itself.

As of recently, Steam has already started bursting the bubble of digital ownership of games for its customers. On the checkout, the store displays the message which states “A purchase of the digital product grants a license for the product on Steam”.

I want a refund on all the games I purchased where this disclaimer was not shown to me

— SHARK 🦈 (@SharkAnth0ny) October 11, 2024

A user on X is demanding a refund since the customers were previously under the impression of permanent ownership, like physical CD’s, when paying for the game digitally.