EU Petitions Halt Video Game Destruction

A European Union petition demanding publishers maintain the playability of online games after server shutdowns has gained significant traction. The "Stop Destroying Video Games" initiative is nearing its goal of one million signatures.

EU Gamers Rally Behind the Cause

39% of the Way to One Million Signatures

The petition has surpassed its signature threshold in seven EU countries: Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Poland, and Sweden. Currently boasting 397,943 signatures, it represents 39% of the required one million signatures.

Launched in June, the petition addresses the growing concern of games becoming unplayable after support ends. It advocates for legislation requiring publishers to ensure games remain functional even after official server closures. The petition explicitly aims to prevent publishers from remotely disabling games without providing reasonable alternatives to maintain gameplay.

As stated in the petition, publishers should be obligated to maintain the functional state of games sold or licensed within the EU. This directly addresses the issue of remote disabling and demands viable solutions for continued gameplay independent of publisher intervention.

The petition highlights the controversial shutdown of Ubisoft's The Crew, a 2014 racing game with over 12 million players. Ubisoft's March 2024 server closure, citing infrastructure and licensing issues, rendered the game unplayable, sparking outrage among players and even leading to lawsuits in California alleging consumer protection violations.

While the petition still needs considerable support to reach its goal, EU citizens of voting age have until July 31st, 2025, to sign. Although non-EU citizens can't sign, they can contribute by spreading awareness.