_{Issue #48}

Rune: Gaming - Industry Shake Ups Continue

_{Oct 6, 2024 • 11 minutes}

In a week filled with game-changing developments, we’re diving into the latest stories rocking the gaming world. From unexpected shutdowns to new legal demands from players, this edition of Gaming Pulse breaks down the biggest headlines. We explore the looming buyout of Ubisoft by Tencent and the Guillemot family, examine EA’s latest wave of game closures, including NBA Live 18 and The Simpsons: Tapped Out, and dive into the heated discussions around Steam users demanding refunds for EULA changes. Plus, we cover the delisting of unrated games from Steam in Germany due to regulatory shifts. Strap in—this week’s updates are bound to shake things up!

Gaming News

Steams Growing EULA Controversy: Users Demand Refund Rights

Users on Steam are advocating for video game developers to offer refunds when they introduce changes to their end-user license agreements (EULAs), allowing players who do not agree with the new terms to back out without financial loss. While Steam itself has its own EULA, which has been updated multiple times, every game on the platform also comes with its own specific terms. Players are now pushing back against post-purchase changes that they may not have agreed to when initially buying the game.

The Growing Concern Over EULA Changes

End-user license agreements are often filled with complex legal text that most players skim through before hitting "accept" just to jump into their game. While these agreements are generally harmless, there’s increasing concern that changes—especially regarding data collection and privacy—could put players at risk. With modern concerns over digital privacy, players are discussing the implications of these EULA changes and how they should be handled.

Players on forums like Reddit have suggested that developers should be required to offer refunds whenever a game changes its EULA, as users are often not fully informed of the specific alterations being made. Currently, companies are legally obligated to notify users of these changes, but not always in detail. As a result, some players feel trapped into accepting terms they didn’t originally agree to when they purchased the game, sparking a demand for refund policies to be implemented alongside these changes.

Concerns About Potential Exploitation

Though many companies use standard legal language in their EULAs, players are worried that more dubious clauses could be slipped into agreements after purchase. Countries worldwide have data protection laws, but Steam users feel that Valve, the platform's parent company, should do more to protect players. They argue that post-purchase EULA changes could leave players stuck between giving up their privacy or losing the money they spent on the game.

The Legal Landscape

Ensuring player safety when it comes to legal agreements is a tough task, especially with how quickly technology evolves. While EULA laws are generally handled at the government level, player feedback could influence companies like Valve to implement new policies that offer more protection. Whether Valve will take action to address these concerns remains to be seen, but it's clear that users are hoping for a future where they don’t feel financially trapped by changing legal terms.

NBA Live 18 Among EA Titles Shutting Down in November

EA has confirmed that NBA Live 18 will be shutting down on November 7, marking another significant server closure for the gaming giant. EA routinely provides a list of games set to have their online services discontinued, giving players one last opportunity to revisit their favorite titles before they are taken offline. These shutdowns often coincide with games being delisted from digital storefronts, though sometimes, the delisting occurs well before the servers are switched off.

The 2024 Wave of EA Shutdowns

EA has been shutting down a range of games throughout 2024, from big-budget releases to smaller yet beloved titles like Kim Kardashian: Hollywood. While October 2024 has seen fewer closures, with The Simpsons: Tapped Out being delisted on October 31, November will bring a wave of shutdowns. At least five EA games will go offline next month, including NBA Live 18.

In addition to NBA Live 18, FIFA 22 is set to shut down on November 4, and Battlefield 3, alongside the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of Battlefield 4 and Battlefield Hardline, will also see their services discontinued on November 7. This makes it a particularly rough time for fans of these older titles, especially those who prefer EA’s basketball games over the NBA 2K series.

Although NBA Live 19 is still online as of now, its future remains uncertain, given that it was released back in 2018. EA is not known for providing long-term support for its sports titles, and with no new NBA Live games on the horizon, fans of the series may soon be left with no alternative but to turn to NBA 2K.

Looking Ahead to 2025

For now, the only EA game confirmed to shut down in 2025 is The Simpsons: Tapped Out, with its server closure scheduled for January 24, 2025. However, it is likely that more titles will follow, so fans should keep an eye on EA’s ongoing updates regarding future game shutdowns.

Tencent and Guillemot Family Reportedly Eye Ubisoft Buyout Amid Struggles

Tencent and the Guillemot family may be buying out Ubisoft following the publisher's recent commercial struggles. The Guillemots, who originally founded Ubisoft in the late 1980s, saw the company rise to prominence with titles like Rayman on the PlayStation in 1995. Since then, Ubisoft has become a major player in the industry with successful franchises such as Assassin’s Creed, Splinter Cell, and Prince of Persia.

However, the last few years have been less favorable for the company. Star Wars Outlaws, which debuted to warm reviews in August, fell short of Ubisoft's sales expectations, leading to a significant drop in the company's stock—reaching a 10-year low. Compounding these issues, the highly anticipated Assassin’s Creed Shadows faced multiple controversies, prompting a delay from its original November 15 release date to February 14, 2025.

Investor Concerns and Calls for a Buyout

With Ubisoft's troubles mounting, there have been growing calls from investors for the company to go private. According to a Bloomberg report, sources suggest that Tencent Holdings Ltd. and Ubisoft's founding Guillemot family are considering buying out the publisher. The goal would be to stabilize Ubisoft’s market value and potentially reverse its fortunes. While no formal comments have been made by Tencent or the Guillemots, the discussions seem to be ongoing, with both parties exploring various options.

Calls for Leadership Changes

Earlier this year, Juraj Krupa of AJ Investments penned a letter recommending Ubisoft go private, noting the company’s ongoing struggles. Some investors have even called for current CEO Yves Guillemot to step down as part of a broader strategy to correct course. Other suggestions include staff reductions and a stronger focus on Ubisoft’s key intellectual properties, like Rainbow Six Siege, Assassin’s Creed, and Watch Dogs.

Market Reaction

In response to the news of a potential buyout, Ubisoft's stock has surged by approximately 33% in Paris—the company’s largest increase since 1996. While it remains to be seen whether the buyout will materialize, the general sentiment is that a significant change is needed for Ubisoft to recover from its recent setbacks.

Steam to Delist Unrated Games in Germany Following New Age Rating Law

Steam, the massively popular gaming marketplace developed by Valve, is set to see significant changes in Germany due to new regulations regarding game ratings. While Steam has become one of the most accessible gaming platforms globally, offering a diverse library of games, a recent shift in German law will require the platform to delist all unrated games in the country by the end of this year.

Steam's Diverse Library Faces German Regulation

Steam’s library includes a wide range of titles, from family-friendly games like Freddy Fish and Putt-Putt to mature-rated games. Though many titles receive ratings from organizations like the ESRB or PEGI, Steam hasn’t required developers to have ratings in all markets—until now. Germany’s updated regulations, enforced by the BZKJ, now mandate that all games available in the country must carry an age rating. This move is set to impact a large portion of Steam's offerings in Germany, as unrated games will be removed from the platform if they don’t comply by November 15.

A Shift for Developers

Developers whose games are sold on Steam in Germany will need to get their titles rated to remain available in the market. They have the option of using Steam’s built-in rating system or applying through Germany’s official ratings agency, the USK. The change is aimed at better regulating the content accessible to younger audiences and ensuring compliance with the country’s stringent age rating laws.

The Evolution of Game Ratings

Video game ratings have been a hot topic in the industry for decades, and agencies like the ESRB and PEGI have been central in regulating what content is appropriate for certain age groups. These organizations have used various methods to assess game content, with proposals like facial age verification systems being considered in recent years. The new German regulations reflect the continued efforts to protect young audiences and create clearer distinctions between games intended for different age groups.

Looking Forward

As we close out this edition, there’s plenty to ponder: Will the potential Ubisoft buyout reshape the landscape for major publishers? How will EA's ongoing shutdown of older titles impact long-time fans, and what does it mean for the future of game preservation? As Steam faces growing demands for refunds over EULA changes, will other platforms follow suit in prioritizing player rights? And what will be the broader implications of Germany’s new regulations on unrated games?

Stay tuned, gamers—we’ll be here to keep you informed as these stories evolve in the ever-shifting world of gaming!

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