While pretty much every digital storefront says you're "purchasing" your games, the nasty little secret is that you're only ever buying a license to access any given title. Most stores reserve the right to revoke that license if they so choose, and as a new California law forces stores to actually admit that fact, DRM-free outlet GOG is reminding PC gamers that you can live in a world where digital games are yours to keep. As The Verge reported yesterday, California governor Gavin Newsom signed a new law that'll come into effect next year which essentially bars digital stores from using words like "buy" when you're spending money on digital goods like games, movies, and music.
It's a timely move given the global consumer rights campaign following Ubisoft's shutdown of The Crew , and it could see companies that revoke access to purchased games fined for false advertising. "If only there was a storefront that actually lets you own your games," GOG joked on Twitter in the wake of the news. The storefront, which is owned by Witcher and Cyberpunk parent company CD Projekt, made its name by selling DRM-free versions of digital games, in contrast to the bigger digital PC stores like Steam.
Players were quick to point out that GOG's own user agreement makes clear that games you buy are merely licenses there, too. "When we said we let you ‘own’ your games," the store said in a follow-up tweet , "we meant that no matter what happens—whether it’s licensing issues, storefronts sh.
