Preserving MMO Games: One Million Signatures Sought for EU Law Proposal

European Gamers Launch Petition to Save Online Games from Server Shutdowns

A significant European gamer-led initiative, "Stop Killing Games," is striving to protect digital game purchases. The petition aims to compel the European Union to legislate against game publishers shutting down online games and rendering them unplayable after ending support.

The campaign, spearheaded by Ross Scott, seeks to achieve this through the European Citizen’s Initiative process. This requires gathering one million signatures from across various European nations within a year to formally propose legislation to the EU. Eligibility is limited to European citizens of voting age. While ambitious, Scott is confident, citing alignment with existing consumer protection policies and the potential for global impact if successful in the large European market.

The petition, launched in August 2024, has already garnered considerable support, exceeding 183,000 signatures. However, a substantial effort remains to reach the one million signature threshold.

Ubisoft's termination of online services for The Crew in March 2024 serves as a prime example of the problem. This action effectively nullified the investment of 12 million players. The campaign highlights the irretrievable loss of countless hours of gameplay when online-only games are shut down, citing recent closures of titles like SYNCED and NEXON's Warhaven as further evidence.

Scott characterizes this practice as "planned obsolescence," comparing it to the historical destruction of silent films to reclaim silver. The petition doesn't demand endless support or server hosting, but rather that games remain functional at the time of shutdown. This applies to both paid and free-to-play games with microtransactions, ensuring purchased in-game items remain accessible. The initiative clarifies that it does not demand relinquishment of intellectual property rights, source code, or assumption of liability for player actions. The method of maintaining functionality is left to the publishers' discretion.

The success of Knockout City's transition to a free-to-play model with private server support demonstrates a viable alternative. The petition's success hinges on achieving the one million signature goal. While only European citizens can sign, global support is encouraged through awareness campaigns. The ultimate aim is to create a precedent that prevents future game closures and protects player investments.

To participate, visit the "Stop Killing Games" website and sign the petition. Remember, only one signature per person is allowed. The website offers country-specific guidance to ensure signature validity.