'Stop Killing Games' challenges publishers to end practices which 'destroy' games folks have bought.
A new EU-focused initiative is taking aim at publishers, urging them to make key changes to stop their games from being effectively 'killed' when such titles are no longer actively supported.
An increasing number of games now cease to function once a publisher has decided to pull support, such as killing game servers — this is particularly true for live service games. Such game-breaking practices are often tenderly referred to as 'end-of-life' or 'sunsetting'.
In recent years, particularly with the closure of various digital storefronts, the topic of game preservation as a whole has become a point of increasing importance. This, along with questions on continued digital access, a decline in physical media, confusion as to 'who owns what', and general consumer rights clarity around games, all make up part of the wider conversation.
Now, this new, well-meaning 'Stop Killing Games' effort notes that an increasing number of titles are now purposely designed to stop working once a publisher decides to pull the plug — as a result, they want to see real change. The initiative aims to apply pressure and hopefully end "the practice of publishers destroying videogames they have sold to customers".
The website outlines that they are hoping to apply pressure on publishers, such as Ubisoft for example and how they've handled the racing game 'The Crew', by asking for the following changes:
- Require video games sold to remain in a working state when support ends.
- Require no connections to the publisher after support ends.
- Not interfere with any business practices while a game is still being supported.
The site also outlines answers to other related, common questions, such as why the overall issue matters, the current law, and what the potential impact of any changes could be.
The website shares how gamers within the EU can help, with country-specific instructions on how to add your name to the initiative. For those outside of the EU, the website also shares ways in which you can help.
As with many consumer-led efforts, they often don't garner the desired response or result — but, as this one seems well put together and somewhat reasonable enough in its goals, I deemed it worth sharing here.
