European Gamers Launch Petition to Save Online Games from Server Shutdowns

A European citizen's initiative, "Stop Killing Games," is gaining traction, aiming to protect players' digital investments by preventing game publishers from shutting down online-only games. The petition seeks one million signatures within a year to propose EU legislation mandating that games remain playable even after official support ends.

The campaign, spearheaded by Ross Scott, argues that shutting down servers constitutes a form of planned obsolescence, rendering players' purchases worthless. The initiative draws parallels to the loss of silent films due to the recycling of silver from film stock. While the proposed law would only apply within the EU, organizers hope its success would influence global industry practices.

The catalyst for this movement was Ubisoft's closure of The Crew, leaving 12 million players with unplayable games. Other recent closures, such as SYNCED and NEXON's Warhaven, underscore the urgency of the issue.

The petition clarifies that it doesn't demand publishers relinquish intellectual property, source code, or provide indefinite support. The goal is simply to ensure games remain functional at the time of server shutdown. This includes accountability for microtransactions in free-to-play titles. The successful shutdown and relaunch of Knockout City as a free-to-play game with community servers serves as a potential model.

The initiative has already gathered significant support, surpassing 183,593 signatures since its August launch. However, reaching the one-million-signature threshold is crucial for submitting the legislative proposal. The petition website offers country-specific instructions to ensure valid signatures.

Even non-European gamers can contribute by spreading awareness of the "Stop Killing Games" petition. The organizers hope this initiative will create a precedent to protect player investments and prevent future game closures. Visit the "Stop Killing Games" website to sign the petition and learn more.