EU Petition Calls for Action on MMO Game Preservation

European Gamers Launch Petition to Save Digital Games from Server Shutdowns

A European citizen's initiative, "Stop Killing Games," is demanding EU legislation to protect players' investments in online games. The petition, spurred by Ubisoft's shutdown of The Crew, aims to prevent publishers from rendering games unplayable after ending support. The initiative seeks one million signatures within a year to formally propose the law to the EU.

The Fight for Digital Ownership

The petition, already boasting over 183,593 signatures, argues that server shutdowns constitute a form of planned obsolescence, effectively destroying players' purchases and wasting countless hours of gameplay. Organizer Ross Scott highlights the loss incurred by The Crew's closure, impacting 12 million players. He draws parallels to the lost films of the silent era, emphasizing the irreplaceable nature of digital game purchases.

The proposed law would mandate that publishers maintain games in a playable state upon ending support, leaving the implementation method to the publishers themselves. This accountability extends to free-to-play games with microtransactions, ensuring players don't lose their in-game purchases. The initiative cites Knockout City's successful transition to a free-to-play model with private server support as a viable example.

What the Petition Won't Do

It's crucial to note that the petition does not demand:

• Surrender of intellectual property rights
• Release of source code
• Eternal game support
• Ongoing server hosting by publishers
• Publisher liability for player actions

A Global Impact?

While the law's enforcement would be limited to Europe, Scott hopes its passage in such a large market will inspire global change, either through legislation or industry self-regulation. He encourages support from non-European players by spreading awareness of the initiative.

Sign the petition at the "Stop Killing Games" website to contribute to this important cause. Remember, each person can only sign once. The website offers country-specific guidance to ensure signature validity. The fight to preserve digital game ownership is underway, and your support can make a difference.