Katarzyna Petru
Ross Scott and his community have reached 1.4 million signatures. And this is just the beginning.
This is no longer just a fan campaign from the internet. The initiative "Stop Killing Games", led by Ross Scott (yes, the one from "Accursed Farms"), has surpassed 1.4 million signatures – significantly above the 1 million required by the EU. And although some of these votes may be rejected during the verification process, the community has still delivered. Now the European Commission will have to address this.
Scott is not declaring victory yet – rightly so. He continues to warn that the game publishers' lobby is already scheming to discredit the entire initiative. Lobbyists are set to intervene, pressuring MEPs to drop the issue.
What is “Stop Killing Games” fighting against?
The problem that has come under European scrutiny concerns the so-called “killing of games”, which is the practice of shutting down servers and blocking access to previously purchased titles – even in single-player mode. The most notable case was The Crew by Ubisoft, which, after the server shutdown, not only lost functionality but also… disappeared from players' accounts. Licences were revoked, the game ceased to exist.
It is such decisions that have become a catalyst for international opposition. The initiative demands that the EU enforces a requirement for publishers to keep games in a playable state – if not online, then at least offline. This is not about piracy, but about not losing access to something that has been paid for.
The Industry Says "Stop" Stop Killing Games – Publishers Strike Back
Not everyone in the industry views the Stop Killing Games initiative with enthusiasm. The Video Games Europe organisation, representing the interests of publishers and developers in the European Union, has published an official statement warning of the "negative consequences" of ensuring that players have ongoing access to games after their official support ends. According to VGE, the decision to shut down servers is a complex and costly process, and the requirement to keep games in a playable state "could significantly limit creative freedom" and make the design of many titles – especially those reliant on online infrastructure – unprofitable. They also point out issues related to data security, illegal content, and the risks associated with private servers. While they emphasise their understanding of player disappointment, they believe that the current practice – which involves notifying users in advance of planned service shutdowns – is sufficient and compliant with consumer law. VGE expresses a willingness to engage in dialogue with the European Commission and representatives of the initiative, but makes it clear that they will not support systemic changes without a fight.
What’s next? Not the end of the signatures yet
The collection of signatures is ongoing until 31 July, so if you haven't signed yet – this is your last chance. Scott warns that although we have crossed the comfort threshold, each additional signature is a buffer of safety in case of rejected submissions. It is also a clear signal to politicians: players have had enough.
And the industry? Well, if the EU really takes action, this could be one of the most significant precedents in the history of digital game distribution. And let it be so.
Source: gryonline.pl
