A European Union petition, "Stop Destroying Video Games," is gaining momentum, nearing its goal of one million signatures. The initiative, launched in June, aims to prevent publishers from remotely disabling online games after support ends, ensuring continued playability.
Significant Progress in Seven EU Nations
The petition has already surpassed its signature threshold in seven EU countries: Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Poland, and Sweden. With 397,943 signatures collected (39% of the target), the campaign demonstrates significant gamer support across the region.
The petition advocates for legislation requiring publishers to maintain the functional state of games sold within the EU, preventing the remote deactivation of games without reasonable alternatives for continued play. This follows numerous instances of games becoming unplayable after server shutdowns, despite maintaining a significant player base.
A prime example cited is Ubisoft's The Crew, a 2014 racing game with over 12 million players globally. Ubisoft's server shutdown in March 2024, due to infrastructure and licensing issues, rendered the game unplayable, sparking outrage and even legal action in California.
While the petition still requires a substantial number of signatures to reach its goal, EU citizens of voting age have until July 31st, 2025, to add their support. Those outside the EU can contribute by spreading awareness of the campaign.
