Gamers in Europe Continue to Demand Action Ahead of July 31 Deadline
The Stop Killing Games petition has officially surpassed 1.4 million signatures as of July 21, marking a significant milestone for the grassroots movement to protect digital games from being delisted or rendered unplayable. Initially launched with a goal of 1 million signatures, the petition met that target earlier this month on July 3. Since then, support has only grown, bolstered by endorsements from high-profile figures, including the Vice President of the European Parliament, who publicly expressed solidarity with the cause on social media.
The campaign’s organizers have since set a stretch goal of 1.4 million to ensure the validity and strength of their case as they prepare to present it to the European Parliament. With the petition remaining open to signatures from EU gamers until the July 31 deadline, the total count is expected to climb even higher.
Industry Figures Push Back Against the Movement
Despite widespread support from players and advocates, not everyone in the video game industry agrees with the petition’s goals. Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot, who also co-founded the company, recently criticized the idea that publishers should be obligated to keep games available indefinitely. In a statement, Guillemot said, “At some point the service may be discontinued,” reflecting a common position among industry leaders who argue that maintaining aging titles comes with logistical and financial burdens.
This sentiment is echoed by organizations such as Video Games Europe, a trade group representing European publishers, which has also resisted calls to impose stricter obligations on game companies to preserve access to their titles. Critics of the petition argue that shutting down old games is sometimes a necessity, though they often fail to address the consumer frustration over losing access to products they have already paid for.
A Growing Problem in the Digital Era
The Stop Killing Games campaign was initially sparked by high-profile removals of titles such as The Crew, which became completely unplayable after Ubisoft shut down its servers earlier this year. However, the problem extends well beyond a single publisher. In the last two years alone, EA has shuttered dozens of games, most recently delisting EA Sports FC 24, a football title released in 2023. Japanese company Entergram also recently pulled over 100 games from the PlayStation Store without warning, underscoring how widespread the issue has become.
For many players, these practices highlight a growing need for laws or standards that ensure continued access to purchased games, whether through mandatory offline modes or allowing player-hosted servers after official support ends. Advocates hope that a successful petition will push European lawmakers to draft legislation that addresses these concerns, though no concrete measures have been announced yet.
The movement’s momentum suggests that consumer frustration with delisting and server shutdowns is reaching a boiling point. If European regulators take action, it could set a precedent for other regions and reshape how publishers handle their back catalogs going forward.
What’s Next for Stop Killing Games
With just over a week left before the petition closes, the organizers continue to encourage EU residents to sign and lend their voices to the cause. Whether the European Parliament will move forward with legislative proposals remains uncertain, but the unprecedented level of support for Stop Killing Games has already sent a clear message to the industry: gamers expect better solutions than simply pulling the plug.
Gamers in the EU can still sign the petition until July 31.
