Citizen Initiative 'Stop Killing Games' Faces Critical Deadline

A citizen initiative advocating for the preservation of video games, originally titled 'Stop Destroying Videogames' and now known as 'Stop Killing Games', is nearing a critical juncture. The initiative, which aims to prevent video game publishers from discontinuing online titles without notice, was sparked by the shutdown of the MMO racing game 'The Crew' by Ubisoft on April 1, 2024, after a decade of service. Since its closure, 'The Crew' has become unplayable as it relied entirely on online servers.

The initiative seeks to implement regulations that would require publishers to inform consumers about the lifespan of games before purchase. Ideally, the aim is to ensure that games can be preserved in some form, allowing communities to continue enjoying them even after official support ceases. For games that are purely online, the proposal includes creating a local network-based version for continued play. In cases where titles have both online and offline capabilities, the initiative insists that solo play should remain available even after online services are terminated. Importantly, the initiative does not demand that publishers provide indefinite support for their games; instead, it advocates for the ability to use games independently of ongoing publisher intervention.

Central to this effort are two formal petitions: one targeting the European Union and another aimed at the UK government. Despite the growing awareness, both petitions have struggled to gather the necessary number of signatures to prompt parliamentary discussion. The European Union petition requires one million signatures, while the UK petition needs 100,000. Recently, prominent YouTuber Ross Scott, who played a pivotal role in launching the initiative, released an urgent video titled 'The End of Stop Killing Games' to rally support and increase awareness of the pressing deadline.

Since the release of Scott's video, there has been a notable increase in support. Approximately 200,000 additional signatures have been recorded for the EU petition, bringing the total to around 643,000. In the UK, the count has reached nearly 46,000, with only weeks remaining. The deadline for the UK petition is July 14, 2025, while the EU petition closes on July 31, 2025. Resources are available to assist individuals in completing the EU petition.

The issue of disappearing games extends beyond online-only titles and affects many classic games that do not require an internet connection. A 2023 study conducted by the Video Game History Foundation found that 87% of games released before 2010 are no longer available for purchase, based on an analysis of 1,500 titles. This trend highlights a concerning reality where games are vanishing at a faster rate than silent films.