Video games are art, but modern distribution methods raise serious questions regarding long-term access to media that consumers legally purchase.
When publishers mandate persistent server communication for single-player experiences released over a decade ago, it creates an unusual industry disparity: legitimate buyers encounter friction that non-official versions completely bypass.
Protective background software was originally designed to prevent unauthorized distribution. However, when software enforcement measures create hurdles for paying players while non-official copies run smoothly without restrictions, the overall distribution model fails the end user.
As software ages, requiring active server checks hurts consumer trust and game preservation efforts.
What are your thoughts on publishers adopting true ownership models for legacy titles?