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An increasing number of modern games depend on publisher-owned servers. When companies decide to withdraw support, some titles become completely inaccessible even to people who previously paid for them. It was in response to this phenomenon that the Stop Destroying Videogames initiative was launched, gaining huge support among players across Europe. The matter even reached the European Commission. However, the institution's response is not what most of the community had hoped for.
The European Commission does not plan new obligations for publishers
After analysing the initiative's demands, the European Commission concluded that it cannot currently propose rules requiring companies to keep a game running after the end of its commercial life cycle. According to officials, one of the main reasons is existing copyright and intellectual property law. Creators and publishers have exclusive rights to their products, and intervening in this area could lead to complex legal issues. The Commission also emphasises that current consumer regulations already provide some protections for buyers. Companies are obliged to inform customers about the terms of use for digital services and the conditions for their termination. If a product does not meet the terms set out in the contract, consumers may be entitled to a partial refund. According to the Commission, the existing rules therefore provide a certain level of protection. However, that does not mean the problem disappears entirely. In recent years many online games have been shut down, causing players to lose access to previously purchased content. It was precisely such cases that led to the creation of the Stop Destroying Videogames movement. Despite huge interest in the matter, the Commission decided that new regulations are not the best solution at present. Instead, consultative measures are planned. For many players this is clearly far too little compared with the expectations that arose after more than a million signatures were collected.
The industry is to create its own code of conduct
Instead of changing the law, the European Commission wants to start talks with representatives of the games industry and consumer organisations. The aim of these consultations is to draw up a special code of good practice on ending support for games. The document would set standards for behaviour when shutting down servers and at a product's end of life. The problem, however, is that such a code would not have legal force. That means companies would not be obliged to follow it. That very element sparked the strongest wave of criticism among players. Many comments appeared on social media suggesting the community expected concrete rules, not voluntary guidelines. Some people believe that the months-long campaign ended with nothing more than a symbolic reaction from European institutions. The Commission has also announced information campaigns on consumer rights and an analysis of existing digital regulations. A report on the matter is to be published before the end of the year. Officials hope that more effective enforcement of current rules will encourage publishers to support their games for longer. It is not known, however, whether such measures will actually influence the decisions of the largest companies. For many players the crucial issue remains the ability to retain access to purchased titles even after their official support ends. So far there is no indication that such an obligation will be introduced in the coming years.
The European Commission does not currently intend to introduce a law forcing publishers to maintain games after servers are switched off. Instead of new regulation, only a voluntary code of conduct for the industry is to be drawn up. The decision was met with deep disappointment by some players, who had hoped for real change following the success of the Stop Destroying Videogames initiative.
source: TechPowerUp
