Gamers are often overlooked when it comes to rights and freedoms. However, the Michigan- based software developer Stardock has taken a good first step in securing at least a few rights for gamers. In August 2008, Stardock released the first draft of the Gamer’s Bill of Rights. The first draft was an attempt to address some of the most common complaints, and problems, of gamers – particularly PC gamers. From games released before they were truly completed, to intrusive and troublesome “anti-piracy” measures, PC gamers often feel like they’re being punished for being PC gamers. Sometimes games that were to be released for both the PC and console systems simultaneously have had their PC release delayed because of publisher’s fears of “cracked,” or hacked versions of the game flooding the Internet, thus hurting the sales of console versions of the game.

After taking the responses and feedback from the publisher and developer community on their first draft into consideration, Stardock has released an interim version of the Gamer’s Bill of Rights.

The Gamer’s Bill of Rights

1. Gamers shall have the right to return games that are incompatible or do not function at a reasonable level of performance for a full refund within a reasonable amount of time.

2. Gamers shall have the right that games they purchase shall function as designed without defects that would materially affect the player experience.

3. Gamers shall have the right that games will receive updates that address minor defects as well as improve game play based on player feedback within

reason.

4. Gamers shall have the right to have their games not require a third-party download manager installed in order for the game to function.

5. Gamers shall have the right to have their games perform adequately if their hardware meets the posted minimum requirements.

6. Gamers shall have the right not to have any of their games install hidden drivers.

7. Gamers shall have the right to re-download the latest version of the games they purchase.

8. Gamers have the right to use their games without being inconvenienced due to copy protection or digital rights management.

9. Gamers shall have the right to play single player games without having to have an Internet connection.

10. Gamers shall have the right to sell or transfer the ownership of a physical copy of a game they own to another person.

The hope is that the Gamer’s Bill of Rights will give developers and publishers a starting point when it comes to how they should treat the gamers who purchase their software. Rather than treating all gamers like pirates and thieves, software companies could begin to treat gamers as what they are – loyal customers.

Those interested in finding out more about what Stardock is doing for gamers, and the Gamer’s Bill of Rights, can visit: http://www.stardock.com/media/stardockcustomerreport-2008.pdf