The Stop Destroying Videogames Petition in the EU is making significant strides, having reached its signature threshold in seven countries and inching closer to the coveted 1 million signatures. Dive deeper to learn more about this crucial initiative!
Gamers Across Seven EU Countries Show Support
EU gamers are rallying behind the Stop Destroying Video Games petition, which has successfully met its signature requirements in Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Poland, and Sweden. Some countries have even exceeded their targets, pushing the total number of signatures to 397,943—39% of the 1 million needed to advance the petition.
Launched in June, the petition addresses the growing issue of video games becoming unplayable after their support ends. It aims to establish a law that mandates publishers to ensure games remain playable even after their online services are discontinued. This initiative is a response to the increasing problem of games turning into abandonware.
As stated in the petition, "This initiative calls to require publishers that sell or license videogames to consumers in the European Union (or related features and assets sold for videogames they operate) 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 notable example highlighted by the petition is Ubisoft's open-world racing game, The Crew, released in 2014. Despite its substantial player base of over 12 million, Ubisoft shut down the game's servers in March 2024 due to server infrastructure and licensing issues, rendering all player progress obsolete. This move sparked outrage among players, leading to a lawsuit by two California gamers against Ubisoft for violating consumer protection laws by stripping away their right to play a game they had purchased.
While the petition has made significant progress, it still needs more signatures to reach the 1 million mark. EU citizens of voting age have until July 31st, 2025, to support the initiative on the official website. Although non-EU residents cannot sign, they can contribute by spreading awareness and encouraging others to join the cause.
