Why Some Gaming Institutions Only Hand Out Licenses to Play Games

I’m a simple-minded gamer—no, no, a simple-minded consumer. If I buy a game at full price, I own it, right? 

From Ubisoft Official Website

That’s what I used to think until I saw the word “license” slapped onto a game I spent good, hard-earned money on. Ubisoft reminded us of this reality with The Crew not too long ago. The game, which launched in 2014, is no longer playable. Not because the servers are gone for multiplayer or your computer doesn’t support it anymore (not sure how this would work), but because Ubisoft essentially pulled the plug and revoked access, even if you paid for it. 

Full price or not, what you owned was never yours. You were just renting it—renting with extra sparkles.  

From David Official GIPHY

Now, this whole system isn’t really new. Most digital games are sold as licenses to use the software instead of as your property. It’s in the EULA (End User License Agreement). The one you often skip because you just want to start playing the game you bought. 

But why do companies do this? 

Control. That’s the core of it. When a company grants you a license instead of ownership, it allows them to manage (or remove) access as they see fit. This is particularly useful for always-online games or titles dependent on live services. From a publisher’s standpoint, it’s about protecting intellectual property, ensuring compliance, and controlling the game’s environment. Yes, I am looking at you, too, Nintendo. If you are surprised at their mention, they state that they will remotely brick your device if you “mod” it. 

From Bearish official GIPHY

However, from a player’s perspective, it feels like a betrayal. You invest time, money, and emotion into a game—only to have it disappear when a server shuts down or when the company decides to move on. It is the equivalent of your parents taking your games away when playtime is over!! 

Many gamers are increasingly drawn to platforms and models that favor preservation. Physical media might be dying, but retro collectors and emulation fans keep the spirit of actual ownership alive. It’s great, but the sad truth is this: licensing is the norm now. It’s wrapped in glossy marketing, but at the core, you’re buying access, not ownership.

From Zoorooster official GIPHY

So, what can we do? Stay informed. Support consumer-friendly practices. And maybe think twice before buying that $70 live-service title unless you’re okay with the idea that someday, it might vanish. If you’ll excuse me, I must come to terms with all the skins I bought from Riot…

One thing they can’t take away from you is your senses; hearing, for example! This is why acquiring headphones that improve your audio experience is a must! If you don’t know where to look, check out the Logitech G435 Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Headset at the Next Upgrade Shop!