The United Kingdom Won't Change Its Laws To Address Games Going Offline

Warner Bros. Games' MultiVersus is the latest game slated to shut down its servers after being deemed a disappointment by its parent company. Concord met a similar fate last fall, and these won't be the last. But if players in the United Kingdom were hoping that the government would step in to address the issue, then they're going to be sorely disappointed.

As reported by Eurogamer, the UK government has responded to a petition asking for consumer laws to be updated to keep video game publishers from taking their titles offline without offering their paying customers a chance to "retain or repair them."

In response, the United Kingdom government essentially said that it doesn't see a need to address the issue. The statement notes that video game publishers are already covered by pre-existing laws and there are no plans to change the laws currently on the books about "digital obsolescence."

The UK government has previously passed a Consumer Rights Agreement that's meant to ensure that games and other products sold to users work as described, and that includes digital copies as well. But there are no measures in place to force video game companies to maintain servers online. Instead, the government's position is that "if software is offered for sale that is not supported by the provider, then this should be made clear."

Unlike Concord, players will still be able to access MultiVersus if they download the game's final update before May 30. That will allow players to keep playing the game against AI opponents or with up to three other players through local co-op. However, all online match options will be gone. MultiVersus will also be delisted from all gaming platforms, which will make it almost impossible to get after its shutdown date.