EU Petition to Stop Killing Games Reaches 1.3 Million Signatures
The “Stop Killing Games” petition in the European Union has garnered significant attention, amassing 1.3 million legitimate signatures. This petition aims to address the closure of online gaming services and advocate for better support for older games.
Background of the Petition
Launched in 2024 after Ubisoft discontinued “The Crew,” a racing game with a ten-year legacy, the petition seeks to protect gamers’ interests. By July 2025, it had already attracted 1.2 million signatures.
Petition Success and Statistics
According to Moritz Katzner, the director general of the organizing body, the petition received nearly 1.5 million signatures in total. Out of these, 1,294,188 were verified as legitimate, surpassing the crucial one million mark needed for consideration by the European Commission.
Top Contributors
- Germany: 233,180 signatures
- France: 145,239 signatures
Katzner noted that this initiative is among the most successful on the European Citizens Initiative platform, with a failure rate around 10%. For comparison, many initiatives often encounter failure rates between 10% and 15%, while some see rates as high as 20% to 25%.
Industry Response
Trade organization Video Games Europe acknowledged the community’s passionate responses but stressed that discontinuing online services is a complex decision. They asserted that companies must have the option to discontinue services when they are no longer financially viable, ensuring players receive adequate notice in line with consumer protection laws.
UK’s Perspective
A similar “Stop Killing Games” petition emerged in the United Kingdom, attracting over 10,000 votes. The UK government confirmed that there is no legal obligation for software companies to support older versions of their products. They emphasized that commercial decisions often dictate the future of older games due to high operational costs.
Challenges for Developers
Notable figures in the gaming industry, such as Maciej Gołębiewski, managing director of GOG, have stressed that mandatory support for online servers could hinder game production. The ongoing discussion reflects the tension between consumer rights and business sustainability in the gaming sector.
The “Stop Killing Games” petition highlights the growing demand for accountability in the gaming industry. As it continues to gain traction, many eyes will be on whether it leads to actionable changes that protect gamers’ rights across Europe.
