A European Union petition aiming to prevent publishers from rendering video games unplayable after ending support has surpassed its signature threshold in seven countries, inching closer to its 1 million signature goal. Let's delve into the details of this significant gamer-driven initiative.
EU Gamers Unite Against Abandonware
39% of the Way to 1 Million Signatures
The "Stop Destroying Video Games" petition has achieved its target number of signatures in seven EU nations: Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Poland, and Sweden. Some countries even exceeded their individual goals, contributing to a remarkable 397,943 signatures – 39% of the overall 1 million signature target.
Launched in June, this petition addresses the growing concern of games becoming unplayable after publisher support ceases. The initiative advocates for legislation requiring publishers to maintain the functional state of online games, even after official server shutdowns.
As stated in the petition: "This initiative calls for publishers selling or licensing video games in the EU to maintain those games in a playable state. Specifically, it seeks to prevent publishers from remotely disabling games without providing reasonable alternatives to maintain functionality independently."
The petition highlights the controversial shutdown of Ubisoft's The Crew, a 2014 racing game with over 12 million players worldwide. Ubisoft's decision to shut down servers in March 2024, citing infrastructure and licensing issues, sparked outrage and even legal action from Californian gamers who argued the publisher violated consumer protection laws by rendering a paid-for game unplayable.
While the petition still requires significant support to reach its goal, EU citizens of voting age have until July 31st, 2025, to add their signatures. Although non-EU citizens cannot sign, they can help by spreading awareness of this important cause.
