Stop Gaming Destruction: EU Petition Draws Support

EU Gamers Unite: Stop Destroying Video Games Petition Nears Milestone

A significant pushback against the practice of rendering video games unplayable after support ends is underway in the EU. The "Stop Destroying Video Games" petition has already surpassed its signature threshold in seven countries, bringing it closer to its ambitious goal of one million signatures.

Strong Support Across the EU

The petition has garnered substantial support, reaching its target in Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Poland, and Sweden. With 397,943 signatures collected—39% of the total goal—the momentum is building.

The petition directly addresses the growing concern of games becoming unplayable following the termination of publisher support. It advocates for legislation compelling publishers to maintain the functionality of online games even after official server closures. This would prevent publishers from remotely disabling games without providing reasonable alternatives for continued gameplay.

The petition quotes its central aim: "to require publishers…to leave said videogames in a functional (playable) state. Specifically, the initiative seeks to prevent the remote disabling of videogames by the publishers, before providing reasonable means to continue functioning of said videogames without the involvement from the side of the publisher."

A prime example highlighted by the petition is Ubisoft's decision to shut down servers for The Crew in March 2024. This left millions of players unable to access their purchased game, sparking outrage and even legal action in California.

While the petition still has a significant way to go before reaching one million signatures, EU citizens eligible to vote have until July 31st, 2025 to add their support. While non-EU residents cannot sign, they can still help by raising awareness and encouraging others to participate.