I was only 4 years and 4 months old, I can barely remember anything of that time.
But when Columbia was en route to enter the atmosphere, I was outside on the front lawn watching, since it was re-entering over my area of Texas at a pretty favorable viewing angle.
I was so fucking happy to see such a momentous occasion...until it started breaking up. I knew something was wrong, but my brain couldn't piece it together, until the ship started breaking apart into visibly distinct fireballs. It passed over the horizon, and I was stunned. I ran back into my friend's living room, and continued watching the coverage, now very sombre.
It was 17 years and 4 days after Challenger. I was 21. That shit is burned into my memory. Especially since 9/11 was less than 18 months prior, which I also watched live.
It is legal, therefore that's the hurdle we need to get over. If you don't want it to be legal, fight to make it illegal, or don't use/buy the product.
But people pre-order video games at record numbers despite everyone with a brain saying that they shouldn't, so they're SOL either way.
Trying to side-step copyright isn't going to get you what you want. You're fighting an uphill battle with fewer resources.
You are buying a license. That's the legal action you are taking. Even when you buy a physical copy, that's not ownership of the game. You can't duplicate and sell the copies. You can't duplicate and give them away. Both are copyright infringement.
Sure you can sell an older physical copy second hand, because there's no one there to stop you, which is why companies have moved to largely digital: the communications infrastructure makes it easier (like you said). But also it allowed companies to keep a tighter hold on their property.
I agree that if they wish to end support for a game, it should have a countdown timer to then be in the "public domain" so to speak.
But that's the uphill battle I spoke of, because you'd need to rewrite a precedent that currently allows for 90+ years of copyright.
No, you don't own the software in your car. The companies who disabled your car do, and by acquiring that car, you are subject to their whims. Because by signing that contract when buying that car, I bet you didn't amend it to make you owner of that software.
Instead of continuing to maintain a car-centric culture with software that we don't own or control, we could incorporate more walking and biking infrastructure, and better more reliable public transit options.
Don't settle for one thing just because that's what you know and has been in existence most of your life. Find and build better options.
Much of it doesn't hold up anymore, so it might be a wise idea. It prolly won't work, tho.