A European Union petition demanding publishers maintain playable online games after server shutdowns is gaining momentum. The "Stop Destroying Video Games" petition has already surpassed its signature threshold in seven EU nations, bringing it closer to its one-million signature goal.
EU Gamers Rally Behind the Cause
Nearly 40% of the Goal Achieved
The petition has achieved significant success, exceeding its target in several countries including Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Poland, and Sweden. Currently boasting 397,943 signatures, the petition has reached 39% of its one-million signature goal.
Launched in June, the petition addresses the growing concern of games becoming unplayable after publisher support ends. It advocates for legislation requiring publishers to ensure games remain functional, even after official server closures.
As stated in the petition, publishers selling or licensing games in the EU should be obligated to maintain the game's playable state. The petition specifically aims to prevent publishers from remotely disabling games without providing reasonable alternatives to maintain functionality independently.
The petition highlights the controversial shutdown of Ubisoft's The Crew, a 2014 racing game with over 12 million players. Ubisoft's March 2024 server closure, attributed to infrastructure and licensing issues, rendered the game unplayable and sparked outrage among players. This incident, along with similar cases, underscores the need for consumer protection.
While the petition still requires considerable support to reach its goal, EU citizens of voting age have until July 31st, 2025 to sign. While non-EU citizens can't sign, they can help spread awareness to encourage participation.
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