this post was submitted on 10 Jul 2023
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cross-posted from: https://radiation.party/post/41704

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[–] [email protected] 46 points 1 year ago (3 children)

This kind of thing (and e-waste in general) is why I think we need radical laws about unsupported hardware in general.

If an electronic device (phone, laptop, etc) stops receiving software support, the most recently available firmware should be made freely available under public domain.

Apple is obviously the worst offender, but it's just horrible when you have really great hardware that's 100% worthless just because the software is unsupported and proprietary.

The number of iPads, smart home products, and other devices that become e-waste every year is unsustainable. If companies were forced to release the code for free when they stopped supporting devices, maybe they would support them longer. Or at least bother innovating for a change.

[–] Weirdfish 28 points 1 year ago

This is only going to get worse with modern games. Always online to servers that won't exist. Digital only copies you won't be able to download.

Not only should the firmware be made available, I think if you are taking servers offline you should be required to release the source code.

I can still play my N64 and PS3 games with physical copies, but many on PS4 are basically unplayable without the day one patch at least

Ubisoft has made it clear, "Well, if you want to play Assasins Creed, or Farcry, we expect you to play the new ones".

Well, in both cases, the new ones are ass and I want to play the old ones, that I paid for.

As others have said on here, once the product is no longer supported, I feel the rights to that software should pass to the community.

I write code for a living, and when I'm done, the client owns that software. I hand over all the source code as part of close out. If they want me to maintain it, fine. If the want to go with someone else, its theirs to do with as they please.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago

This kind of thing (and e-waste in general) is why I think we need radical laws about unsupported hardware in general.

Agreed. Out of market for over a 10 years? The game is made public and preserved in a government library that is available to the public as a service.