European Gamers Launch Petition to Save Digital Games from Publisher Shutdowns
A European citizen's initiative, "Stop Killing Games," is demanding EU legislation to protect players' digital game purchases. The petition, sparked by Ubisoft's shutdown of The Crew, aims to prevent game publishers from rendering games unplayable after ending support.
The Campaign's Ambitious Goal
The initiative, spearheaded by Ross Scott, needs one million signatures across various European countries within one year to be considered by the EU. While seemingly ambitious, Scott is confident, citing alignment with existing consumer protection policies. Success in Europe could set a global precedent, potentially influencing industry practices worldwide.
The petition, launched in August 2024, has already garnered significant support, exceeding 183,000 signatures. However, a substantial effort remains to reach the one-million-signature threshold.
Holding Publishers Accountable
The impetus for the petition was Ubisoft's decision to shut down The Crew, impacting 12 million players. This highlights the issue of online-only games becoming unplayable, rendering players' investments worthless. Similar closures of titles like SYNCED and NEXON's Warhaven further underscore the urgency.
Scott describes the practice as "planned obsolescence," comparing it to the historical loss of silent films due to silver reclamation. The petition seeks to ensure games remain playable at the time of server shutdown, without demanding source code, IP rights, or perpetual support. The initiative clarifies that the responsibility lies with publishers to maintain functionality, not necessarily to continue hosting servers.
Free-to-play games with microtransactions are also included, as the petition argues that purchased in-game items should not be rendered inaccessible. The successful example of Knockout City, which transitioned to a free-to-play model with private server support after its shutdown, demonstrates a viable alternative.
What the Initiative Won't Require
The petition explicitly states it does not demand:
- Publishers relinquishing intellectual property rights
- Publishers surrendering source code
- Endless game support
- Publishers hosting servers indefinitely
- Publishers assuming liability for player actions
A Global Call to Action
To participate, visit the "Stop Killing Games" website and sign the petition. While only one signature per person is allowed, country-specific instructions are provided to assist with the process. Even non-European residents can contribute by spreading awareness of this crucial initiative. The aim is to create a ripple effect across the gaming industry, preventing future game closures and protecting player investments.
