Gaming Plea Counters Harmful Regulations

A European Union petition demanding publishers maintain playable online games after server shutdowns is gaining traction. With signatures exceeding the threshold in seven countries, the campaign is nearing its 1 million signature goal.

European Gamers Unite

Nearly 40% of the Goal Reached

The "Stop Destroying Video Games" petition has surpassed its signature target in seven EU nations: Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Poland, and Sweden. The impressive total currently stands at 397,943 signatures—a significant 39% of the one million needed.

This initiative, launched in June, addresses the growing concern of unplayable games following publisher support termination. The petition advocates for legislation compelling publishers to ensure continued game functionality after online services cease.

As stated in the petition, publishers should be obligated to "leave said videogames in a functional (playable) state," preventing remote disabling without providing reasonable alternatives for continued gameplay independent of publisher involvement.

The petition highlights Ubisoft's shutdown of The Crew in March 2024 as a prime example. Despite a substantial player base (over 12 million worldwide), server closures rendered the game unplayable, sparking outrage and even legal action in California.

While the petition still needs significant support to reach its goal, EU citizens of voting age have until July 31st, 2025, to add their signatures. While non-EU citizens can't sign, they can assist by promoting the petition within their networks.