The simmering frustration of gamers worldwide has crystallized into a potent force. The European Union citizens' initiative "Stop Killing Games" has officially surpassed one million signatures, crossing a critical threshold that compels EU authorities to formally consider its demands. The campaign targets a growing industry practice: the complete shutdown of video games, rendering purchased copies permanently unplayable, even in single-player modes, when developers pull the plug on servers.
Launched earlier this year, the initiative accuses companies like Ubisoft, EA, and 2K Games of selling consumers products with an invisible expiration date. "When you buy a physical good – a book, a toaster, a car – you expect it to last," said campaign organizer Ross Scott in a recent video. "But increasingly, games, even those marketed as single-player experiences, are designed to phone home to company servers. When those servers shut down, often years later, your purchased game becomes a worthless piece of plastic or digital data. It’s planned obsolescence at its most egregious."
The Core Demand: Right to Preservation
The initiative’s central plea is for the European Commission to propose legislation mandating that companies selling games within the EU provide a technical solution – such as releasing a final patch enabling offline play – before shutting down online services. This would effectively grant consumers the right to preserve and continue playing the games they legally purchased, long after official support ends.
Ubisoft's "The Crew" Fuels the Fire
The campaign gained significant momentum following Ubisoft's controversial shutdown of its online-only racing game "The Crew 1" in March 2024. Despite players owning copies of the game, access was completely revoked when the servers went offline. This move, deemed legal under the game's End User License Agreement (EULA) but widely criticized as anti-consumer, became a prime example cited by the "Stop Killing Games" movement. Ubisoft faced backlash for offering minimal compensation (a discount on its sequel) to owners of the now-defunct title.
What Happens Next?
Reaching one million signatures triggers an official EU response process:
- Validation: The European Commission will now verify the signatures (primarily ensuring signatories are EU citizens).
- Hearing: Organizers will present their case at a public hearing in the European Parliament.
- Formal Response: Within 6 months, the European Commission must issue a formal communication outlining whether it will propose legislation in response to the initiative and its reasons why or why not.
Industry Pushback & Legal Grey Areas
Publishers argue that maintaining servers indefinitely is financially unsustainable for older games with dwindling player bases. They also cite the complexity of retrofitting always-online games for offline play and potential security risks associated with legacy systems. Legally, EULAs often grant companies the right to terminate service. However, campaigners argue this clashes with fundamental consumer rights regarding ownership and longevity of purchased goods, especially when offline functionality is technically possible.
"This is a watershed moment," Scott declared upon confirming the signature milestone. "One million people have demanded the EU protect their right to own the games they buy. This isn't just about nostalgia; it's about consumer rights, digital ownership, and preserving our cultural heritage in the digital age. We're forcing the conversation."
👉 Learn more and track the initiative's progress directly: StopKillingGames.com 👈
The gaming industry and regulators across the globe will be watching Brussels closely. The outcome of "Stop Killing Games" could set a powerful precedent, potentially reshaping how games are sold, preserved, and ultimately owned by consumers in the digital era. Whether the EU will mandate an industry-wide "offline switch" remains uncertain, but the voice of one million gamers can no longer be ignored.
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