Originally posted by Wrench:

Now that I think about it, Valve could add new licensing terms on Steam stating something like:
"If you purchased a license to use a video game with your account, and the provider of that game (e.g., Ubisoft, Activision, Electronic Arts, etc.) decides to remove the product from our store, you—as a user who bought it—have every right to keep a digital copy in your Steam library, as long as the game:

Is no longer available for commercial purchase on any other platform;

Depends on closed or discontinued services (such as proprietary online servers);

Has no official alternative method of being played or acquired."**
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They could support preservation efforts and, in the process, gain even more goodwill and reputation than they already have.

On top of that, companies wouldn’t be able to do much about it. Sure, they could try pulling their games off Steam like some have done before—but since everyone stays on Steam anyway, Valve could lean into its near-monopoly on PC game distribution and use that influence to pressure companies into respecting users more. This could help turn game licenses into something that is technically "actual user ownership", rather than just temporary usage rights."