Stop Killing Games: What is it and why does it matter?

European gamers are rallying behind “Stop Killing Games,” a campaign demanding that video game publishers guarantee access to bought games even after official support ends. What began as a response to Ubisoft’s abrupt shutdown of The Crew’s servers now threatens to reshape digital ownership rules.

The initiative, spearheaded by YouTuber Ross Scott of Accursed Farms, has gathered over 721,000 signatures ahead of the July 31, 2025, deadline.

It requires EU legislators to mandate that companies either implement offline modes in full‑price games or allow for private servers once official hosting discontinues.

Scott’s argument draws on comparisons to lost silent-era films, noting that once online components vanish, games effectively die:

“an assault on both consumer rights and preservation of media”.

He highlights that The Crew was delisted in December 2023 and rendered unplayable by April 1, 2024, as a prime example.

The movement has triggered global responses. The UK petition just crossed 100,000 supporters, earning an official debate.

Meanwhile, governments in France, Germany, and Australia have begun examining related consumer complaints.

Critics, including indie developer Pirate Software (Jason Thor Hall), argue that the campaign lacks practical solutions. Some developers warned that mandatory offline or server releases may overburden smaller teams.

Reddit users debated whether the initiative’s aim could inadvertently drive up development costs or restrict future projects.

From Scott’s perspective, the initiative isn’t punishing the industry; it’s asking publishers to commit to basic preservation standards and transparency around digital licenses.

Early policy wins, like California’s AB 2426 and Steam’s addition of license disclaimers, show the tone shifting.

Ubisoft itself responded by promising offline modes in The Crew 2 and Motorfest, though the original remains unplayable.

Given that 68 percent of surveyed titles requiring servers are already unplayable or at risk, the stakes extend well beyond industry gossip. This is a debate about digital culture, legal transparency, and the practical rights of consumers in a world where “buying” a game is increasingly a temporary license.

Time is running out. With less than a month until the petition’s deadline, support must surge to breach the 1 million threshold. If that happens, it may force EU decision-makers to draft consumer protections that could serve as a global model and potentially reshape how digital purchases are regulated going forward.