European Commission Must Answer 1.3 Million-Signature Stop Killing Games Petition by July 27
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jun 6
European Commission Must Answer 1.3 Million-Signature Stop Killing Games Petition by July 27
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 6
Summary
July 27 is the deadline for the European Commission to respond to the Stop Killing Games petition, which submitted nearly 1.3 million signatures in January and already triggered a European Parliament hearing in April.
The campaign argues publishers should not leave paid games unplayable when servers shut down, pushing instead for end-of-life plans such as offline modes or software that lets players keep running them.
Ubisoft's 2024 shutdown of The Crew — a racing game that drew more than 12 million players — became the flashpoint, with the company saying server and licensing constraints forced it offline.
Publishers and industry groups say shutdowns must remain an option when online games are no longer commercially viable, warning stricter rules could raise development costs for online-only titles.
The dispute is spreading beyond Brussels: a French consumer case against Ubisoft is ongoing, the UK has declined new legislation, and California is weighing a bill requiring continued playability or refunds.
Can developers afford to make games immortal, or will new laws kill the online gaming business model?
As the EU's July verdict nears, will publishers be forced to guarantee that purchased games remain playable forever?
1.3 Million Signatures Push EU to Act: The Fight for Digital Game Ownership and Preservation
Overview
The 'Stop Destroying Videogames' initiative has reached a pivotal moment as the European Commission prepares its official response. This campaign, now the 14th valid initiative to be formally examined since 2012, highlights growing concerns about consumer rights in the digital world, especially regarding the longevity and playability of purchased video games. After organizers met with top Commission officials and presented their case at a well-received European Parliament hearing, the movement gained significant momentum. The Commission’s upcoming decision could mark a turning point for digital ownership, potentially leading to stronger protections for gamers across the EU.