A European Union petition aiming to prevent publishers from rendering video games unplayable after support ends has gained significant traction. The "Stop Destroying Video Games" petition has already surpassed its signature threshold in seven EU nations.
Significant Progress Towards 1 Million Signatures
The petition has secured 397,943 signatures—39% of its 1 million target—across Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Poland, and Sweden. Several countries have even exceeded their individual goals.
This initiative addresses the growing concern of games becoming inaccessible after server shutdowns or license expirations. The petition advocates for legislation mandating publishers to maintain the playable state of their games, even after official support ceases.
As stated in the petition, publishers selling or licensing games within the EU should be obligated to ensure continued functionality. The goal is to prevent publishers from remotely disabling games without providing reasonable alternatives for continued gameplay.
The petition highlights the controversy surrounding Ubisoft's shutdown of The Crew in March 2024. Despite a substantial player base (estimated at 12 million worldwide), the servers were deactivated due to infrastructure and licensing issues, effectively erasing player progress and sparking outrage. This incident, along with similar cases, underscores the need for consumer protection in the gaming industry.
While the petition still requires a substantial number of signatures, EU citizens of voting age have until July 31st, 2025, to lend their support. Although non-EU residents cannot sign, they can contribute by raising awareness and encouraging participation.
