Steam Will Now Clearly State That You’re Buying A Game’s License, Not The Game

We live in a digital world these days and as advantageous as that can be at times, there are some concerns that linger specifically in the video game sphere. Many gamers often look toward purchasing games online on the storefront of their choice, and while it was previously understood among the masses that buying a title online means you get complete ownership, recent developments are making the truth come to light. 

Steam, for starters, will now blatantly state that what you’re purchasing at the time of checkout is actually the license to your game, and not the entity itself as you would have if you had bought one physically (thanks Engadget). Look out for a dedicated section on the right of the page as you’re about to purchase the items in your cart.

It bears mentioning that a law was put in place earlier this year by Californian Governor Gavin Newsom, which will come into effect in 2025. This legislation encompasses the vergiabe digital storefronts employ to conduct online transactions between them and the average person. The usage of words like “buy” and “purchase” for games is on its way out because this implies that you’re actually owning the game when you’re not.   

As retailers continue to pivot away from selling physical media, the need for consumer protections on the purchase of digital media has become increasingly more important,” said the Californian assembly spokesperson Jacqui Irwin. 

The Frustration Surrounding Digital Video Game Purchases 

In April 2024, Ubisoft pulled The Crew’s digital license, rendering the game unplayable for all those who owned it. Subsequently, this also came as a reminder as to what the average gamers’ ownership rights are with regard to the purchase of digital games.

Now, the Californian law won’t be stopping game publishers from repeating this in the future, but it’ll certainly spread the word and alarm people that purchasing games online is not the same as buying them physically.