Abstract
Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996 has long shielded online platforms from liability for the actions of their users. As calls for its repeal or reform grow louder across the political spectrum, debate has largely centered on social media; however, the video game industry—a significant yet often-overlooked stakeholder in this discourse—also depends heavily on Section 230 protections. From multiplayer servers to online platforms such as Steam, Twitch, and Discord, this Note examines the crucial role Section 230 plays in sustaining the video game ecosystem. It argues that repealing or significantly reforming Section 230 without accounting for the video game industry’s unique reliance on it would produce serious unintended consequences: stifling innovation, heightening legal risks, and undermining community-building efforts. By exploring the legal, economic, and interactive dimensions of Section 230 within the gaming sphere, this Note urges lawmakers to strike a balance in reform that preserves Section 230’s benefits to industries beyond social media.
Recommended Citation
Simeoni, Sophia
(2026)
"From Mods to Multiplayer: Strategies for Protecting the Video Game Industry from Section 230 Reform,"
Florida Entertainment and Sports Law Review: Vol. 5:
Iss.
1, Article 6.
Available at:
https://scholarship.law.ufl.edu/feslr/vol5/iss1/6