A European Union petition demanding publishers maintain the playability of online games after server shutdowns is gaining momentum. The "Stop Destroying Video Games" initiative has already surpassed its signature threshold in seven EU nations.
Significant Progress Towards 1 Million Signatures
The petition has secured 397,943 signatures—39% of its 1 million goal—across Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Poland, and Sweden. Several countries have even exceeded their individual targets.
This initiative directly addresses the growing concern of games becoming unplayable after official support ends. The petition advocates for legislation requiring publishers to ensure continued functionality, even after server closures, preventing the remote disabling of games without providing viable alternatives for continued gameplay.
As stated in the petition, publishers should be obligated to maintain the playable state of games sold or licensed within the EU. This aims to prevent publishers from remotely disabling games without offering reasonable means to maintain functionality independently.
The petition highlights the controversy surrounding Ubisoft's shutdown of The Crew in March 2024. Despite a substantial player base (over 12 million worldwide), server closures rendered the game unplayable, sparking outrage and even legal action in California.
While the petition still needs considerable support to reach its goal, EU citizens of voting age have until July 31st, 2025, to sign. Those outside the EU can contribute by spreading awareness.
