Stop Killing Games has hit a massive milestone, surpassing 1 million signatures in its push to preserve video games long after publishers pull the plug-but it’s not victory yet.
Spearheaded by Ross Scott of Accursed Farms, the initiative aims to pressure the EU into legislation that protects consumers’ rights to access and preserve games they’ve paid for, even after official servers shut down.
The movement gained traction after Ubisoft announced the shutdown of The Crew, prompting Scott to launch Stop Killing Games in April 2024. But even as signatures surge past 1.07 million, complications remain. Due to invalid or faked entries, the target has now shifted to 1.4 million valid signatures to meet the EU’s strict validation rules.
“This isn’t just a petition,” Scott emphasized in a recent update. “It’s a legal process. Faking signatures is a crime.” He urged supporters to spread the word responsibly to ensure legitimate backing.
While the momentum is impressive-thanks in part to support from major YouTubers like Jacksepticeye and Cr1TiKaL-the campaign still faces an uphill battle. European Citizens’ Initiatives rarely result in concrete laws. Even successful ones often get watered down, delayed, or outright ignored by the European Commission.
Still, supporters believe the effort could set a precedent. The vision? Ensuring multiplayer and online-only games like Anthem or single-player titles with server dependencies like Dark Souls and Death Stranding remain playable in some form.
Beyond preserving nostalgia, the campaign strikes at a deeper issue: consumer ownership. As digital distribution becomes the norm, players are grappling with the realization that they’re often paying for temporary access, not permanent ownership. It’s a call to redefine what we think we ‘buy’ when we purchase a game.
Critics argue that perpetual server upkeep isn’t practical, and some foresee publishers responding with more restrictive models or expensive subscriptions. Others argue this fight should’ve started decades ago, when PC gaming quietly transitioned into a digital-only model without much pushback.
Still, there’s no denying the emotional pull of Stop Killing Games. It’s about respect-for the craft, for the consumers, and for the idea that what you pay for shouldn’t vanish on a whim. As Scott put it: “If we hit the goal, there’s a real shot at meaningful legal change. But we’re not there yet.”
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