EU Petitions Demand End to Game Destruction

A European Union petition demanding publishers maintain the playability of online games after server shutdowns is gaining significant traction. The "Stop Destroying Video Games" initiative has already surpassed its signature threshold in seven EU nations.

Strong Gamer Support Across Europe

The petition has achieved remarkable success, exceeding its target in several countries including Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Poland, and Sweden. Currently, 397,943 signatures have been collected—a substantial 39% of the 1 million signature goal.

This initiative addresses the growing concern of games becoming unplayable after official support ends. The petition advocates for legislation requiring publishers to ensure continued functionality of online games, even after server closures, preventing the remote disabling of purchased games without reasonable alternatives.

As stated in the petition: "This initiative calls for publishers selling or licensing videogames in the EU to maintain said videogames in a functional (playable) state. It aims to prevent publishers from remotely disabling videogames without providing reasonable means to maintain functionality independently."

The petition highlights the controversy surrounding Ubisoft's shutdown of The Crew in March 2024, leaving millions of players unable to access their purchased game. This incident, along with similar examples, fuels the petition's momentum.

While the petition still needs considerable support to reach its goal, EU citizens can sign until July 31st, 2025. While non-EU citizens cannot sign, they can help spread awareness and encourage participation from eligible individuals.