Bugged Game? Get a Refund!

Bugs and glitches in video games are nothing new, but lately it seems as if more and more games are being released without the proper amount of quality assurance. Whether the developer is rushing the game to market to cash in on a prime shopping season or if the are under another type of deadline is of no concern to the consumer. They simply want the best product for their hard earned dollars.

Where does this leave many gamers who rush out to buy the next big thing only to find it rife with bugs that severely impact gameplay? Bugs that should have been caught through the use of proper testing before the game was released? PS3 gamers are in pretty good shape according to the Trading Standards Institute based in the United Kingdom, although its “ruling” should blanket all games regardless of whether for console or PC.

According to the Sales of Goods Act 1979, which the group quotes, consumers are entitled to a refund if a game contains bugs or glitches that keep them from using the product for its intended purpose.

While I certainly support that statement and hope it provides consumers with more power when they need it, I sincerely hope it is not abused and that store owners will buy into what the Trading Standards Institute has said.

Speaking in a recent interview, Joint Lead Officer Sylvia Rook from the Trading Standards Institute said: “When consumers buy goods their rights are always against the retailer, so if there is a problem with a game, the consumer should return it to the retailer.