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EU Proposal Could Stifle Developer Creativity
EU commissioners have proposed an extension to the EU Sales and Guarantees Directive that would force firms to offer "a minimum two year guarantee on tangible movable consumer goods" like videogames.
Retailers are currently under no obligation to offer refunds on buggy games that stop users completing them, but the proposal, which seeks to offer consumers the right "to get a product that works with fair commercial conditions," could change that, reports the BBC.
An EU spokesperson said that “the current status quo, where licensed products are exempt from EU law, is unsatisfactory."
However, should the proposal come into law, Tiga CEO Richard Wilson feels it could stifle developer creativity.
"Consumers need good quality products - that is only reasonable - but if the legislation is too heavy-handed it could make publishers and developers very cautious,” he said.
"If there is an onus on developers to have software that is 'near perfect' then it could stifle new ideas as people could end up just playing it safe."
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Subscribe To Edge Magazine / Corrections / Terms & Conditions / Privacy Policy
Copyright 2006 - 2009 Future Publishing Limited, Beauford Court 30 Monmouth Street Bath, UK BA1 2BW
England and Wales company registration number 2008885
Hi all this is my first comment here although ive been reading a long time.
It seems that since publishers and developers are intent on ignoring the fact they keep supplying us with faulty, broken or unfinished games and charging full price the EU of all people are stepping in. I think its about time this kind of thing was put in place, how many games have we all brought and not been satisfied with the quality in the last 3-4 years, Lots i think.
Although i do agree with the article, If the laws are to "heavy handed" it will cause many problems within the gaming industry. Where do you draw the line? What qualifies bad development and what is just a honest mistake that a patch will fix? Creating a perfect game is an impossibility anyone with a brain will know that, but i think there should be a clear line on what is acceptable and what's not.
I agree with the article, this has a danger of becoming too heavy a burden on developers.
Let's say you are a developer and you want to do something crazy with a new physics system ,but your publisher says to you
"No, do not attempt it. Bug squashing to the standards of the EU could cost too much money"
What are we going to be left with? Developers could possibly end up in some really sticky situations.
EU should stay out of the games industry, give us tax breaks or bugger off.
every goverment should have this law, I like alot.. No more drm!
So developers and publishers should have every right to create products that don't work as advertised? Why should consumers take on 100% of the risk when purchasing a game? They deserve the right to be able to complete the game with as little interference as possible or get their money back.