European Gamers Launch Petition to Save Online Games from Server Shutdowns

A European citizen's initiative, "Stop Killing Games," is demanding EU legislation to prevent game publishers from shutting down online games and rendering digital purchases unplayable. The petition, spurred by Ubisoft's closure of The Crew, aims to protect players' investments in online-only titles.

The Fight for Digital Preservation

The petition, spearheaded by Ross Scott, seeks to hold publishers accountable for server shutdowns. Scott highlights the loss of countless hours and invested funds when online games are abruptly terminated, drawing parallels to the lost films of the silent era. He stresses that the initiative doesn't demand publishers relinquish intellectual property, source code, or provide perpetual support, but simply to maintain game functionality at the time of shutdown.

The initiative's scope includes free-to-play games with microtransactions, arguing that the loss of access to purchased in-game items constitutes a loss of goods. The success of Knockout City's transition to a free-to-play model with private server support is cited as a potential solution.

Key Demands and Exclusions

The petition explicitly does not require:

• Relinquishing intellectual property rights
• Release of source code
• Endless game support
• Ongoing server hosting
• Publisher liability for player actions

The Path to Legislation

The "Stop Killing Games" campaign requires one million signatures from EU citizens of voting age within one year to submit a formal legislative proposal. While a significant hurdle, the petition has already garnered considerable support, exceeding 183,000 signatures since its August launch. The campaign encourages non-European supporters to spread awareness globally.

Sign the petition and learn more at the "Stop Killing Games" website. Remember, only one signature per person is allowed. The website provides country-specific guidance to ensure signature validity. The campaign hopes to create a ripple effect across the gaming industry, preventing future game closures and protecting player investments.