The European Commission has responded to the Stop Killing Games movement with a decision that is likely to disappoint many supporters. The regulator says it cannot require publishers to keep video games playable after they are withdrawn from sale, but plans to work with industry groups and consumer organizations on a voluntary code of conduct for handling a game’s end of life.
The decision follows months of pressure from consumer groups and game preservation advocates, who argue that publishers should not be able to render purchased games unusable once support ends.
Why the EU rejected the proposal
According to the Commission, existing copyright and intellectual property laws prevent it from imposing a legal obligation that would require publishers to keep discontinued games playable.
Instead, the regulator says it will focus on raising awareness of existing consumer rights and encouraging stronger enforcement of those protections. The Commission also suggested that this could incentivize publishers to offer longer support periods and clearer plans for retiring online games.
What is Stop Killing Games?
Stop Killing Games was launched by YouTuber Ross Scott in 2024 following Ubisoft’s shutdown of The Crew, which left the online racing game completely unplayable even for customers who had purchased it.
The campaign is not asking publishers to maintain servers indefinitely. Instead, it wants games left in a playable state when official support ends, whether through offline modes, private servers, or other alternatives that allow customers to continue using what they paid for.
The movement gained enough support through the European Citizens’ Initiative process to trigger a formal response from the European Commission.
The campaign isn’t giving up
Ross Scott said the Commission’s response was largely expected, but argued that it still leaves important questions unanswered about what obligations publishers have when they shut down games that consumers have purchased.
He said the campaign’s next opportunity could come through the EU’s upcoming Digital Fairness Act, which may provide a path for stronger consumer protections around digital ownership. Scott also noted that the initiative continues to have support within the European Parliament, while similar efforts to address game shutdowns are also gaining traction in the United States.
While the European Commission remains a major obstacle, Scott says the campaign is far from over. Supporters are now focusing on the next opportunity to push for stronger protections for digital purchases.
