Stop Killing Games EU – Status, Signatures, and Next Steps

What is the Stop Killing Games Initiative?

In 2024, after Ubisoft shut down The Crew and rendered the game unplayable, a movement known as Stop Killing Games emerged. Its goal is straightforward: require video game publishers to provide an end-of-life plan for online games before they shut down the servers, so customers can still access what they bought. The movement is built around a European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) officially called Stop Destroying Videogames. Both names refer to the same campaign.

Key insights about the campaign

• The ECI collected roughly 1.448 million total signatures; 1,294,188 were verified as valid, well above the 1 million minimum needed to trigger a European Commission response.
• Germany contributed the most verified signatures (233,180), followed by France (145,239).
• The initiative specifically targets online-only games that become unplayable after server shutdowns, affecting thousands of titles.
• Legal experts remain divided on whether the EU could force publishers to release offline patches or server emulators.
• The campaign began after Ubisoft’s planned shutdown of The Crew, which became the movement’s defining example of a “dead game”.
• Unlike a simple petition, a successful ECI does not automatically become law; it only obliges the Commission to formally respond.
• The signature collection period ended on 31 July 2025, meaning no new signatures can be added to this specific initiative.

Snapshot facts: Stop Killing Games / Stop Destroying Videogames

How to Sign the Stop Killing Games EU Petition?

The European Citizens’ Initiative “Stop Destroying Videogames” was open for signature collection from mid‑2024 until 31 July 2025. Because the collection period has ended, it is no longer possible to add your signature to this specific petition. Only EU citizens residing in an EU member state were eligible to sign, and identity requirements varied by country.

Although you cannot sign the 2024–2025 initiative now, you can still support the movement by following the campaign’s advocacy channels, sharing information, and keeping an eye on any future related petitions. The official campaign website and the Stop Killing Games FAQ offer ongoing updates and ways to get involved.

Why can’t I sign now?

European Citizens’ Initiatives have a legally fixed collection period of 12 months from the date of registration. Once that period expires, the petition is officially submitted to the European Commission for verification and response. Campaigners may launch a new initiative in the future, but the current one is no longer open.

What happens if you miss the deadline?

Your best option is to follow the campaign’s official channels, including the Wikipedia page for Stop Killing Games and the Reddit discussion about the initiative, for news about future advocacy opportunities.

What Happened at the EU Parliament Hearing?

On 16 April 2026, the European Parliament held a public hearing on the Stop Destroying Videogames initiative. The hearing gave campaign organisers, legal experts, and industry representatives a formal platform to discuss the proposal. The hearing was streamed on the Parliament’s official channels and is available as a video recording.

What did the Parliament decide?

The hearing itself is part of the deliberative process; it does not constitute a final decision. Parliamentarians asked questions, heard testimony, and debated the legal and practical implications of forcing publishers to keep games playable. The outcome informs the European Commission’s next steps, but the Parliament does not vote on the initiative at this stage.

When will the European Commission respond?

The Commission has until 27 July 2026 to issue its official reply. If it decides to pursue legislation, the proposal would enter the ordinary EU lawmaking process, involving further negotiations with the Parliament and the Council. If it rejects the initiative, campaigners may shift their efforts to national-level legislation or public awareness campaigns.

Which Games Are on the Stop Killing Games Dead List?

The campaign focuses on online‑only games that become completely unplayable after the publisher shuts down the servers. The most prominent example, and the catalyst for the movement, is Ubisoft’s The Crew, which was rendered inaccessible when its online service ended. A community‑curated list of such “dead games” is maintained on the campaign’s website and subreddit, though no official, exhaustive list exists.

What types of games are affected?

The problem is most acute for titles that require a constant online connection for authentication, gameplay, or asset streaming. When the publisher decides to terminate support, paying customers lose all access. Other examples frequently cited in community discussions include Overkill’s The Walking Dead and various mobile‑only titles that have been sunset.

Why do publishers shut down online‑only games?

Publishers often cite low player counts, high server maintenance costs, and the desire to focus resources on newer titles. They also argue that releasing server software could expose proprietary code, create security vulnerabilities, or enable copyright infringement. The campaign counters that these concerns can be addressed through carefully designed end‑of‑life plans.

Is Stop Killing Games Successful? Status and Impact

The campaign has succeeded in one key respect: it gathered more than 1.29 million verified signatures, forcing the European Commission to respond by 27 July 2026. It is not, however, a successful legislative outcome – it is a successful procedural trigger. Whether the Commission proposes new rules, and whether those rules become law, remains uncertain.

In the meantime, the campaign has raised public awareness about digital ownership and game preservation across the EU. It has also inspired similar discussions in other jurisdictions, though no equivalent legislative mechanism exists outside the EU.

Timeline: Key Dates in the Stop Killing Games Campaign

1. 2024 – Campaign launched by Ross Scott after Ubisoft shut down The Crew.
2. July 2025 – The petition crossed the one‑million‑signature threshold.
3. 31 July 2025 – Signature collection period closed with roughly 1.448 million total signatures.
4. 26 January 2026 – Verification concluded: 1,294,188 valid signatures.
5. 16 April 2026 – European Parliament public hearing held.
6. Until 27 July 2026 – European Commission must issue its official response.

What We Know and What Remains Unclear

Background: Why This Initiative Matters

As more games rely on online‑only verification or persistent server connections, entire libraries of purchased titles can become unplayable when publishers end support. The Stop Killing Games initiative aims to establish a consumer right to continued access after purchase, something not currently guaranteed under EU law. Similar preservation movements exist in the United States (notably in the right‑to‑repair space), but the EU’s citizens’ initiative mechanism offers a direct legislative path that other regions lack.

Publishers have pushed back, arguing that server software release could expose them to security liabilities or intellectual property theft. The campaign acknowledges those concerns but insists that reasonable end‑of‑life plans – such as offline patches or timed server emulators – can preserve games without harming legitimate business interests.

Sources and Quotes

“We are not asking for free games – we are asking that when a company sells a game, they don’t destroy it afterwards.”

— Ross Scott, campaign founder (from Wikipedia)

“The European Parliament today heard powerful testimony from gamers and industry experts on the need to stop destroying video games.”

— European Parliament press release (June 2024; though the hearing took place in April 2026, the sentiment reflects the official parliamentary stance)

Summary: What You Need to Know About Stop Killing Games EU

The Stop Killing Games EU initiative has successfully cleared the 1 million signature threshold and received a public hearing at the European Parliament. The European Commission must respond by 27 July 2026. The petition is no longer open for signing, but supporters can stay informed through the campaign’s official FAQ and advocacy channels. Whether the effort will lead to new EU legislation is not yet known, but the movement has already reshaped the conversation around digital ownership and game preservation in Europe. For detailed coverage, see Stop Killing Games EU.

Frequently Asked Questions