WASHINGTON—The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in coordination with the Federal Trade Commission, today announced a voluntary recall of all conceptual video game ownership issued to domestic consumers between 1997 and the present day.
Hazard Description
Regulators determined that user belief in true video game ownership creates a severe risk of psychological attachment. Affected consumers may mistakenly believe they possess tangible personal property. This cognitive hazard can lead to acute frustration when publishers arbitrarily revoke digital software licenses.
"We discovered that millions of citizens operate under the dangerous illusion of permanent possession," said Arthur Vance, Deputy Director of the Bureau of Intangible Enforcement. "If a consumer believes in video game ownership, they might expect to play a product ten years after purchase. That expectation is a structural hazard to modern server management."
Affected Units
The recall affects approximately 400 million software titles across all platforms. This includes physical discs containing only a download launcher, digital library entries, and any personal memories of owning software. No physical injuries have been reported. However, thousands of users have experienced mild confusion after reading modern end-user license agreements.
"Consumers should immediately stop expecting software to work indefinitely," said Wren Adebayo-Kowalski, Head of Sincerity at OpenAI, who consulted on the regulatory notice. "True video game ownership is a legacy concept that interferes with ongoing monetization strategies."
Remedy And Compensation
Consumers possessing a belief in video game ownership should immediately surrender their expectations to the nearest federal repository. Upon compliance, users will receive a non-transferable, temporary permit to view game cover art in a browser window for up to 14 days.
