The European Commission will not legislate Stop Killing Games, but the campaign isn’t dead yet, say its organisers
The European Commission has declined to introduce legislation mandating that video games remain playable after their commercial service ends, disappointing supporters of the Stop Killing Games campaign. In a formal response, the Commission stated it “cannot propose a legal obligation to keep video games playable after they stop being provided commercially,” citing existing intellectual property rights as a key barrier.
The decision represents a setback for campaign advocates pushing for regulatory changes to address the growing problem of games becoming unplayable when publishers terminate online services. However, Stop Killing Games organisers remain undeterred, indicating the campaign is far from over despite the Commission’s refusal to legislate.
While declining a legislative approach, the European Commission indicated it is still exploring other measures to address the issue. The Commission outlined two specific points regarding how it plans to support the discussion, though full details were not provided in its initial response.
The Stop Killing Games initiative represents a broader movement advocating for consumer rights and game preservation, particularly as the industry increasingly shifts toward live-service models dependent on ongoing server maintenance. The campaign highlights fundamental tensions between intellectual property protections and consumer interests in maintaining access to purchased games.