Video Game Preservation Petition Hits 1.4 Million Signatures in the EU

The European Citizens' Initiative "Stop Killing Games," which fights for players' rights to keep their purchased video games lasting longer by being playable even after official servers shut down, has reached a new milestone by crossing over 1.4 million signatures.

This milestone moves the petition closer to formal EU review and possible legislation.

What Is The Stop Killing Games Movement?

This movement, "Stop Killing Games," was started by YouTuber Ross Scott, who is also known as Accursed Farms.

This campaign began as a petition urging the EU to require game publishers to leave games in a functional, playable state after the official servers are shut down. It does not ask for online support, just fair and until end of the life preservation of those games.

As of July 20, 2025, the petition surpassed 1.4M signatures, offering a buffer against any invalid entries and ensuring the petition stays valid.

Why 1.4 Million Signatures Matter

EU rules says that if least 1 million valid signatures are collected across a minimum number of member states, then the petition will advance for a review by the European Commission

With the signatures crossing 1.4 million, the organizers are now confident that the petition will remain valid even after the signature verification.

The movement aims to hit the July 31 deadline with strength.

Game Industry Reactions

The quick and fast growth of this campaign has sparked responses across the gaming world.

• Ubisoft's CEO, Yves Guillemot, acknowledged the petition during a shareholder meeting. He emphasized that although forever support might not be possible, Ubisoft is exploring better lifetime approaches, like adding offline modes.

• Video Games Europe, a major EU trade group, argued that requiring preservation could lead to an extreme increase in the development costs and tamper with developer flexibility.

• Ross Scott fired back, saying that the legal protections through end-user licenses could handle risks and that his initiative invites discussion rather than this forbidding shutdowns.

Political Endorsements

Nicolae Ștefănuță, one of the 14 Vice Presidents of the European Parliament, publicly validated the campaign via Instagram.

He states, "A game, once sold, belongs to the customer, not the company," and he confirmed that he signed the petition himself. His backing gives the initiative additional political weight.

What Happens Next?

Now that the petition has crossed the target, it will now see the bright side and enter the formal phase of its fight:

1. Validation phase:

EU authorities will verify the minimum signatures and country quotas.

2. Commission review:

The European Commission has up to 6 months to officially respond to the initiative.

3. Parliamentary action:

If the Commission supports the agenda, rulemaking or directives could follow, though this would happen over a longer timeframe.

Why This Matters for Gamers

As the technology advances, more games are invented, and these games are further dependent on the online services exclusively; shutdowns of these games will leave the players with no way to access their purchases.

This campaign highlights titles such as The Crew and Anthem, whose end for life removals shocked fans.

With over 1.4 million voices united, this campaign could shape the future of consumer rights in digital gaming.