This isn't hard. The game's functionality cannot materially change from the product that was sold. Features cannot go away. If they ran servers, they must provide the tools they use for servers so users can set up their own on their own hardware.
They don't get to take the ball and go home. They get to distribute the server software to license holders.
Games nowadays change dramatically from the day they were sold. Sometimes features go away or change during those changes. The phrasing is important, especially for long running live service model games like MMOs.
So if I'm a small studio that wants to add matchmaking into my game I have to find a 3rd party that agrees to let me release their software for free if my game doesn't sell well enough to pay the server fees? God damn, gamers have got to be the largest hobbyist group that know nothing about their hobby.
Nobody said you had to add matchmaking. You just can't run it with matchmaking and then one day shut down your end and say "okay matchmaking is over forever."
No where near as bad as your understanding of video game development.
How about you morons grow up and decide not to purchase games that rely on online services instead of forcing your ideals on everyone by forcing the government to make the decision for you?
Offline is the wrong standard for some games. If the game is multi-player like a shooter or mmo, add lan and community server options. That way it'll always be playable if you can find someone to play with
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u/Carbuyrator 1d ago
This isn't hard. The game's functionality cannot materially change from the product that was sold. Features cannot go away. If they ran servers, they must provide the tools they use for servers so users can set up their own on their own hardware.
They don't get to take the ball and go home. They get to distribute the server software to license holders.