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UK Investigates Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo Over Game Subscription Plans (engadget.com)

Posted by EditorDavid on from the investigating-auto-renewals dept.

An anonymous reader quotes Variety: The United Kingdom's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is launching a consumer law investigation into video game companies Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo over some of their business practices, it announced on Friday.

The CMA is concerned about whether or not some of the companies' practices are legal, including their use of auto-renewals for subscription services like Xbox Live, PlayStation Plus, and Nintendo Switch Online. It's also looking into their cancellation and refund policies and their terms and conditions. It said it's written to Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft requesting information on their online gaming contracts and it's calling on people who use these services to tell the CMA about their experiences.

15 comments

  1. Re: Socialism at work by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Wut? They're just protecting EU citizens from getting bilked by 1000 free trials with auto renewals. Subscriptions are the latest business trend in the US, with every CEO hoping you forget to cancel. We literally have a toothbrush subscription here.

  2. Re:Socialism at work by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Only Microsoft is American in that list. Both Sony and Nintendo are Japanese.

  3. Oh come on by JustAnotherOldGuy · · Score: 1

    I'm sure that Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo would never do anything sleazy or sneaky or underhanded or downright illegal. I mean, not after being caught so many times before...

    --
    Just cruising through this digital world at 33 1/3 rpm...
    1. Re:Oh come on by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo would never do anything sleazy or sneaky or underhanded or downright illegal"
      You, and frankly quite a few others, think it is illegal to make you pay to use their products and services. The smart way to deal with these companies is to actually read the terms of service before you use their services and products. If you do not agree with the terms of service than do not use the companies products and services. The companies would make less money and you would have time to look around and discover that there are more important things in life than paying for your video games

  4. Death by a 1000 subscriptions! by TJHook3r · · Score: 1

    It blows my mind at how many subscriptions we 'need' nowadays for some semblance of a social life! In the UK you don't get any sport for example unless you pay, and then each sport may be carved up between multiple providers, meaning a subscription for each. I realise these are all classed as luxury items but try telling that to teens with mates to hang out with.

    1. Re:Death by a 1000 subscriptions! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It is a form of self-enslavement. Don't question it, that would make you crazy. Just enjoy it .

    2. Re:Death by a 1000 subscriptions! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      > It blows my mind at how many subscriptions we 'need' nowadays for some semblance of a social life!

      I honestly have no idea what you're talking about. I'm not seeing any link between any "subscription" I may have and my social life.

    3. Re: Death by a 1000 subscriptions! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Or a form of regular maintenance you get with long term subscriptions

  5. Re: Socialism at work by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    What type of toothbrush subscription are we talking about?

  6. Re:Socialism at work by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Yes, those well known American companies Sony and Nintendo.

  7. One by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    You only need one subscription: Internet subscription.
    Am to I understand that teens are subscribing to shit now?
    Where are their fathers to teach them how to pirate?
    Why are teens so effeminate these days?
    You tell those teens to stop being cucks, and download some free shit RIGHT NOW. Fag.

  8. Consumer protection by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Wow. You red-scare boomers are FUCKING STUPID.
    If you go around equating consumer protection to socialism, you're actually promoting socialism.
    So thanks for that.

  9. Re: Socialism at work by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I don't think that word means what you think it means...