EU Gamers Rally for Halt on Game Downgrading

EU Gamers Rally Behind "Stop Destroying Video Games" Petition: 39% of Goal Achieved

A significant push is underway in the EU to protect player access to video games. The "Stop Destroying Video Games" petition has already surpassed its signature threshold in seven countries, bringing it closer to its ambitious 1 million signature goal.

Momentum Builds Across Europe

The petition has secured signatures in Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Poland, and Sweden, exceeding expectations in some regions. Currently, 397,943 signatures have been collected – a remarkable 39% of the total needed.

The petition's central focus is the growing issue of unplayable games following the end of publisher support. It advocates for legislation requiring publishers to maintain the functionality of online games even after official server shutdowns, preventing games from becoming effectively inaccessible to those who purchased them.

As the petition states, publishers should be obligated to keep games playable, preventing the remote disabling of games without providing reasonable alternatives for continued access.

The Crew: A Case in Point

The petition highlights the controversy surrounding Ubisoft's The Crew, a game shut down in March 2024 despite a large player base. This action sparked outrage, with players even filing lawsuits citing consumer protection violations.

The petition remains open until July 31st, 2025, and EU citizens of voting age are urged to participate. While non-EU residents cannot sign, they can assist by spreading awareness.