New Petition Aims to Protect Video Games in EU

A European Union petition demanding publishers maintain playable online games after server shutdowns has surpassed its signature threshold in seven countries, inching closer to its 1 million-signature goal. Learn more about this important initiative below!

EU Gamers Rally Behind Petition

Nearly 40% of Goal Achieved

The "Stop Destroying Video Games" petition has achieved significant success, reaching the required signature count in Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Poland, and Sweden. Some countries have even exceeded their targets, resulting in a total of 397,943 signatures – a remarkable 39% of the 1 million signatures needed.

Launched in June, the petition addresses the growing concern of unplayable games following the termination of publisher support. It advocates for legislation requiring publishers to ensure the continued playability of online games, even after official server closures.

The petition explicitly states its aim: "To require publishers selling or licensing video games within the EU (or related assets) to maintain said games in a functional (playable) state. This specifically seeks to prevent publishers from remotely disabling games without providing reasonable alternatives for continued gameplay."

The petition highlights the controversial shutdown of Ubisoft's The Crew, a 2014 racing game with over 12 million players worldwide. Ubisoft's March 2024 server closure, attributed to infrastructure and licensing issues, rendered the game unplayable, sparking outrage and even legal action in California.

While significant progress has been made, the petition still requires substantial support to reach its goal. EU citizens of voting age are encouraged to visit the petition website before the July 31st, 2025 deadline. While non-EU citizens cannot sign, they can contribute by spreading awareness of the campaign.