Key Takeaways:
- Stop Killing Games petition hits 1 million signatures, triggering EU review.
- Video Games Europe argues server shutdowns are necessary and legally justified.
- Anthem, The Crew, and Concord are recent examples of games being made unplayable.
- Legal action or reform could take years, but pressure on publishers is growing.
The Stop Killing Games movement, launched to challenge the legality of publishers rendering purchased video games unplayable, has officially reached a major milestone. Its petition, part of a European Citizens’ Initiative, recently surpassed one million signatures—meeting the threshold that requires the European Commission to formally respond.
Video Games Europe Pushes Back Against Petition
Shortly after the milestone was hit, industry lobbying group Video Games Europe released a detailed statement voicing opposition to the movement. While acknowledging community frustrations, the association argued that discontinuing online services is sometimes a financial necessity.
“The decision to discontinue online services is multi-faceted, never taken lightly and must be an option when an online experience is no longer commercially viable,” the group wrote.
They also raised concerns about private servers, citing issues with data protection, illegal content moderation, and developer liability. Additionally, they argued that forcing perpetual game support could limit creative freedom and increase development costs for online-only titles.
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Origins of the Movement: Ubisoft and The Crew
The Stop Killing Games campaign was started in 2024 by YouTuber Ross Scott in response to Ubisoft shutting down servers for The Crew, rendering it unplayable. The incident sparked backlash, with Ubisoft now facing a lawsuit over the decision.
Since then, several other live-service titles have been pulled from storefronts or had their servers shut down. High-profile examples include Marvel’s Avengers, Battleborn, and Concord. Most recently, EA announced that Anthem will be completely unplayable starting January 12, 2026, as its servers will go offline permanently.
Legal Uncertainty and What Comes Next
With the petition’s July 31 deadline fast approaching, the EU’s formal response is expected in the coming months. However, any resulting legal investigations or policy changes are likely to take years.
Stop Killing Games has also published a comprehensive FAQ addressing many of the counterarguments made by industry groups. Supporters say it’s not about banning online games but ensuring that consumers aren’t left with worthless software due to publisher decisions.
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