Why your digital games could vanish in a heartbeat

News that GOG.com has delisted 29 games this month is a sobering reminder that at any moment the games you own could vanish from your PC game libraries at any time and there’s not much you can do about it. Admittedly, GOG’s games include titles that many gamers may not have heard about. But history has shown that this happens to well-known titles too and on platforms with millions of users like Steam and Origin. So how is it that something you’ve legitimately bought can be whipped away in a heartbeat? Don’t we have consumer protection laws against that? Personally, I’d like to see protections in place to keep games from disappearing for purely licensing reasons if they still have legions of fans and are being played by many… How is it that my games can just vanish? The laws around your digital assets will differ depending on where in the world you live, but in most jurisdictions there are no clear laws stating that you unequivocally own and have the right to your digital games in perpetuity. In the U.S. the Federal Trade Commission outlines some of the reasons why this is the case. By far the main reason has to do with the terms of the agreement you make when you create an account on a gaming platform or when you click purchase. When you buy a game on a digital platform, you’re essentially just paying to access the content — in other words, you own a license but not the actual game. Accessing content is not the same as owning it. It means that... Continue reading at 'PC World'

[ PC World | 2024-09-26 10:30:00 UTC ]

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Sacred Space: Why Libraries Are Essential to Incarcerated Writers

Libraries are sacred space within the unending, unrelenting madness, the profane that is Society, places where the predominant ideology is to inform. The Library of Alexandria was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World; the Library of Congress is a wonderfully ( dis )organized... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2023-11-14 09:35:32 UTC ]
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Roli Seaboard Rise 2 review: I wish I had a horror movie to score

I am, primarily, a guitarist. Dabbling in keys and synths has always felt a bit unnatural from a physical standpoint. A keyboard doesn’t respond the way a fretted instrument does. This isn’t surprising, nor is it a bad thing. It’s just not what I’m used to. The better... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2023-11-10 15:00:28 UTC ]
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The Week in Libraries: November 10, 2023

Among the week's headlines: a good election night for libraries meant a bad one for book banners; a national teachers group met with Scholastic leaders over the company's abandoned program to segregate diverse books; and librarians fired for defending the freedom to read headed to the U.S. Equal... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-11-10 05:00:00 UTC ]
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The 16 Books Most Commonly Stolen from High School Libraries

The most commonly stolen books from high school libraries follow a pattern: they're usually mystery, poetry, or graphic novel titles. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-11-07 11:32:00 UTC ]
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British Library Hit by Apparent Cyberattack

Libraries across Europe appear to be facing attacks from cybercriminals. At Britain’s national library, an “incident” is sending scholars back to an analog age. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2023-11-03 17:15:37 UTC ]
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How to find the best gaming console for you in 2023

There is no such thing as the "best video game console," but figuring out which one is right for the gaming experience you want is more in reach. There are seven systems that you could reasonably call “current gen,” and others, such as Valve’s Steam Deck, further... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2023-10-27 14:00:06 UTC ]
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How L.A. libraries are supporting the next generation of Latino authors

Latino authors across Los Angeles are taking advantage of the resources offered by local libraries to jump-start their careers. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2023-10-11 16:59:02 UTC ]
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How to use Windows software in Linux

Wine is not an emulator like Qemu or a virtualization environment like Virtualbox, but a runtime environment that aims to emulate the Windows API on Linux. This API mapping is not complete, but it is comprehensive enough for many Windows programs to run on the Linux desktop. Wine began... Continue reading at PC World

[ PC World | 2023-10-10 10:30:00 UTC ]
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No Book Left Behind, by Alice-Catherine Carls

No Book Left Behind, by Alice-Catherine Carls Essay [email protected] Mon, 10/09/2023 - 15:35 Photo by Alexander Grey / UnsplashWelcome news to those of us in the “Flyover Zone”: our reading habits are healthy and well served. The Jackson Madison... Continue reading at World Literature Today

[ World Literature Today | 2023-10-09 20:35:50 UTC ]
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Oof, when did streaming movies, games, and music get so expensive?

Cable used to be the only game in town for wide entertainment. Sure, if you wanted to subscribe to a game like EverQuest or World of Warcraft, you could (and well, guess the rest of us were never seeing you again). But for variety, cable is what you had—and it wasn’t cheap. So when... Continue reading at PC World

[ PC World | 2023-10-04 14:10:27 UTC ]
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Assassin’s Creed Mirage preview: Finally, a return to stealth roots

Assassin’s Creed Mirage is a dream for stealth kings. People who loved Sam Fisher in Splinter Cell or simply the old Assassin’s Creeds will have a tremendous fun in beautiful 9th century Baghdad, our recent hands-on with the game revealed. We throw coins, briefly distract a guard, dart... Continue reading at PC World

[ PC World | 2023-09-29 19:00:00 UTC ]
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9 free AI tools that run locally on your PC

It’s no coincidence that many programs using artificial intelligence techniques are open source and thus completely free. This is because the early approaches originated in academia, where free licences for software are common practice in order to promote collaboration and further... Continue reading at PC World

[ PC World | 2023-09-18 11:30:00 UTC ]
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These drag performers say protests, threats won't stop them from reading to kids at storytime events

Drag performers who read stories to children at libraries across Canada have faced an increase in protests calling the events destructive for kids, and in some cases, even threats of violence. But the king and queens say they won't let that stop them, because storytimes are about joy and literacy. Continue reading at CBC

[ CBC | 2023-09-16 08:00:00 UTC ]
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The Week in Libraries: September 15, 2023

Among the week's headlines: a politically charged hearing on book bans in the U.S. Senate; Illinois libraries face another wave of bomb threats; an internal report reveals the strain library workers at the Oakland Public Library are feeling; and a brilliant essay explores how today's right wing... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-09-15 04:00:00 UTC ]
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iCloud+ adds new 6TB and 12TB storage tiers

Apple snuck in a significant change to iCloud data storage near the end of its “Wonderlust” iPhone 15 event. The company added two new iCloud+ storage tiers: 6TB ($30 / month) and 12TB ($60 / month).The 6TB and 12TB cloud storage tiers join the existing 50GB, 200GB and 2TB plans currently... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2023-09-12 19:48:53 UTC ]
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8 Magical Libraries in Fiction

Get away from it all with a journey to the most magical libraries in fiction from the Library of Zosma to the Great Libraries of Austmeer. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-09-12 10:34:00 UTC ]
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Asus Zenbook 14 Pro OLED review: Big power in a small package

At a glanceExpert's Rating ProsHefty performance for a 14-inch deviceCrisp oled displayTop-notch keyboard and mouse padSturdy, durable chassisConsCan get hot to play onSome fiddling with settingsOur VerdictIf you’re looking for serious power in a tiny package, the Asus Zenbook 14 Pro OLED... Continue reading at PC World

[ PC World | 2023-08-31 10:30:00 UTC ]
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The First App to “Help” Libraries and Schools with Book Bans Has Arrived–It’s Not What It Seems

BookmarkED claims to help schools and parents navigate book bans. But where and how the app gets is information is a secret. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-08-28 14:02:30 UTC ]
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You can now use Python in Microsoft Excel

If you’ve been feeling constrained by Microsoft Excel’s methods for manipulating data, you’re in luck—Python can now be used within your spreadsheets. The inclusion of the popular programming language went live earlier this week, with the feature available as a public preview. According... Continue reading at PC World

[ PC World | 2023-08-24 20:21:37 UTC ]
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New PEN America Report Documents Surge in ‘Educational Intimidation’ Bills

A new wave of legislation is leading to censorship in schools and libraries by creating a climate of fear and uncertainty for educators. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-08-23 04:00:00 UTC ]
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