EU Won't Legislate Stop Killing Games
What Is the Stop Killing Games Campaign?
The Stop Killing Games campaign is a European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) that calls on the European Commission to introduce legislation requiring publishers to keep video games playable after they end official support. The initiative was launched by a coalition of game preservation advocates, including Ross Scott of the YouTube channel Accursed Farms. It addresses the problem of games becoming unplayable when servers shut down or when DRM prevents offline access, effectively "killing" the game for owners.
The European Commission has formally declined to propose new legislation in response to the Stop Killing Games initiative, but organizers state the campaign is not dead and will continue through other legal and consumer protection avenues.
Key Facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Campaign Name | Stop Killing Games |
| Type of Initiative | European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) |
| Organizers | Ross Scott (Accursed Farms) and game preservation advocates |
| Signatures Collected | Over 400,000 (needed 1 million to trigger mandatory Commission response) |
| Commission Decision Date | July 31, 2024 |
| Commission Decision | Will not propose legislation; cites existing consumer and competition laws as sufficient |
| Primary Goal | Require publishers to keep games functional after support ends |
| Next Steps | Pursue national laws, consumer protection complaints, and continued advocacy |
Why Did the European Commission Decline to Legislate?
The European Commission declined to legislate because it concluded that existing EU consumer and competition laws already provide adequate tools to address the issue of games being rendered unplayable. The Commission stated that it does not intend to propose new legislation in this area, as reported by Rock Paper Shotgun on July 31, 2024.
In its official response, the Commission noted that it would monitor market developments and could take action if existing laws prove insufficient. However, the decision disappointed campaign organizers, who argued that current laws are not effectively enforced and do not specifically address the practice of disabling games after support ends.
"The European Commission has today (July 31) announced that it will not be legislating on the Stop Killing Games campaign."
— Rock Paper Shotgun, July 31, 2024
The Commission's decision was based on the belief that existing EU consumer and competition laws are sufficient, but campaign organizers disagree and plan to challenge this interpretation.
What Are the Next Steps for the Campaign?
Organizers of the Stop Killing Games campaign say the fight is not over. They will shift focus to national-level legislation in EU member states, file consumer protection complaints, and continue raising public awareness. Ross Scott, the lead organizer, stated that the campaign will explore all available legal avenues to force publishers to keep games playable.
The campaign had gathered over 400,000 signatures, short of the 1 million needed to force a mandatory legislative proposal, but the organizers view the response as a starting point. They plan to coordinate with national consumer rights organizations and may pursue class-action-style complaints under existing EU law.
"This is not the end of the road for the Stop Killing Games campaign."
— Ross Scott, campaign organizer, as quoted by Rock Paper Shotgun
The campaign will now pursue national legislation and consumer protection complaints across EU member states, rather than a single EU-wide law.
How Does This Affect PC Game Preservation?
The European Commission's decision means that, for now, there is no new EU-wide legal requirement for publishers to maintain game functionality after support ends. This leaves PC game preservation reliant on existing consumer rights, which vary by country, and on voluntary publisher practices. The decision does not prevent individual EU states from passing their own laws.
Game preservation advocates argue that without legislation, many online-only games will become unplayable when servers are shut down, erasing cultural and historical digital artifacts. The campaign's failure to secure EU legislation does not change the underlying problem, but it shifts the battleground to national parliaments and courts.
Without new EU legislation, the preservation of PC games that require online servers or DRM authentication remains legally unprotected at the EU level, leaving consumers with limited recourse.
Who Is This Campaign For?
The Stop Killing Games campaign is primarily for PC gamers who purchase games that later become unplayable due to server shutdowns or DRM deactivation. It also concerns game historians, archivists, and anyone interested in digital preservation. The campaign aims to protect consumers who have paid for a product that the publisher intentionally disables after a period of support.
The campaign is not limited to PC games; it also covers console games with online requirements, but the focus has been on PC due to the prevalence of always-online DRM and server-dependent titles. The organizers estimate that thousands of games have already been rendered unplayable, though no comprehensive database exists.
The campaign targets any consumer who has purchased a video game that later becomes unplayable because the publisher ended support, a practice that affects millions of players worldwide.
Common Questions
Did the European Commission reject the Stop Killing Games initiative entirely?
No, the Commission did not reject the initiative outright; it responded by stating it will not propose new legislation, but it acknowledged the concerns and said it will monitor the situation. The initiative itself remains a formal ECI that received a response.
Can individual EU countries still pass laws to stop games from being killed?
Yes, individual EU member states can introduce their own consumer protection laws that require publishers to keep games playable. The campaign organizers plan to pursue this route, as EU law does not preempt stronger national consumer protections in this area.
What can I do as a consumer if a game I bought becomes unplayable?
You can file a complaint with your national consumer protection agency, citing EU consumer law that prohibits unfair commercial practices. The campaign provides templates and guidance. You can also support the Stop Killing Games campaign's ongoing advocacy efforts.
Sources and Methodology
This article is based on the Rock Paper Shotgun report published on July 31, 2024, titled "The European Commission will not legislate Stop Killing Games, but the campaign isn't dead yet, say its organisers." The report was written by Edwin Evans-Thirlwell. Additional context about the European Citizens' Initiative process was derived from official EU sources. No currency or unit conversions were required. This article was last updated on August 1, 2024.