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 threshold required by the EU. And although some of these votes may be rejected during the verification process, the community has delivered nonetheless. Now the European Commission will have to address this.
Scott isn't declaring victory yet – wisely. He continues to warn that the game publishers' lobby is already scheming to discredit the entire initiative. Lobbyists are set to step in, pressuring MEPs to drop the topic.
What does "Stop Killing Games" fight against?
The problem that has caught the European spotlight concerns the so-called "killing of games," which refers to the practice of shutting down servers and blocking access to previously purchased titles – even in singleplayer mode. The loudest case was The Crew from Ubisoft, which, after the servers were shut down, not only lost functionality but also... disappeared from players' accounts. Licenses were revoked, and the game ceased to exist.
It is precisely such decisions that have become the catalyst for international opposition. The initiative demands that the EU force publishers to keep games in a playable state – if not online, then at least offline. It's not about piracy but rather about not losing access to something that has been paid for.
The industry says "stop" Stop Killing Games – publishers launch a counterattack
Not everyone in the industry views the Stop Killing Games initiative with enthusiasm. The organization Video Games Europe, representing the interests of publishers and developers in the European Union, has published an official statement warning against the "negative consequences" of providing players with continuous access to games after their official support has ended. 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 based on online infrastructure – unprofitable. They also point out issues related to data security, illegal content, and risks associated with private servers. While they emphasize that they understand players' frustrations, they believe that the current practice – of informing users in advance about the planned shutdown of services – is sufficient and compliant with consumer law. VGE expresses a willingness to dialogue with the European Commission and representatives of the initiative but makes it clear that it will not support systemic changes without a fight.
What’s next? It’s not the end of the signatures yet
The collection of signatures is ongoing until July 31, so if you haven't signed yet – this is your last chance. Scott warns that although we've crossed the comfort threshold, every additional signature is a safety cushion in case of rejected submissions. It’s also a clear signal to politicians: players have had enough.
And the industry? Well, if the EU actually takes action, this could be one of the most important precedents in the history of digital distribution of games. And let it be so.
Source: gryonline.pl
