Preserving MMOs: EU Law Proposal Petition Hits Milestone

European Gamers Launch Petition to Save Digital Game Purchases

MMO Game Preservation Efforts Require One Million Signatures to Propose EU Law A European citizen's initiative, "Stop Killing Games," is urging the EU to legislate against game publishers shutting down online games and leaving players with unplayable purchases. The petition, sparked by Ubisoft's closure of The Crew, aims to protect consumer investments in digital games.

One Million Signatures Needed for EU Legislation

The "Stop Killing Games" campaign needs one million signatures from EU citizens of voting age within one year to formally propose legislation. Organizer Ross Scott is optimistic, citing alignment with existing consumer protection policies. While the law would only apply within the EU, Scott hopes its success will influence global industry standards.

MMO Game Preservation Efforts Require One Million Signatures to Propose EU Law The petition, launched in August 2024, has already garnered significant support, exceeding 183,000 signatures. The campaign highlights the loss of significant player investment when online-only games are shut down, citing examples like SYNCED and NEXON's Warhaven.

Holding Publishers Accountable

Scott criticizes the practice as "planned obsolescence," comparing it to the loss of silent films due to silver reclamation. The initiative doesn't demand source code or IP relinquishment, but rather that games remain playable at the time of server shutdown. This applies even to free-to-play games with microtransactions, ensuring purchased items remain accessible. The initiative cites Knockout City's successful transition to a free-to-play model with private server support as a viable example.

MMO Game Preservation Efforts Require One Million Signatures to Propose EU Law The petition explicitly states that it will not require:

Relinquishing intellectual property rights
Handing over source code
Providing endless support
Maintaining servers indefinitely
Assuming liability for player actions

MMO Game Preservation Efforts Require One Million Signatures to Propose EU Law The campaign encourages global participation in spreading awareness, aiming to create a ripple effect across the video game industry to prevent future game closures. To sign the petition, visit the "Stop Killing Games" website. Remember, only one signature per person is allowed. Country-specific instructions are available on the website to ensure signature validity.