It potentially applies to any game without wide distribution of all required software. An online game where the server software was available to the public coul

It potentially applies to any game without wide distribution of all required software. An online game where the server software was available to the public could potentially last forever, for example it is still possible to play early betas of counterstrike. One solution may be to propose an escrow system. A neutral non profit (or several) sets up an entity which exists to collect software binaries and/or source code from companies under strict NDA. At some event, either after a period of time or at the time in which the service based on that software ceases to operate; the software is released to the public (either for free or for some payment to the escrow entity). In return the company gets a "no abandonware" sticker it can use in it's marketing/branding which gives consumers confidence in their purchase.