Rescue MMOs: Sign Petition for EU Law (1M Signatures Needed)

European Gamers Launch Petition to Save Online Games from Server Shutdowns

A significant push is underway in Europe to protect players' investments in online games. The "Stop Killing Games" petition, aiming to collect one million signatures within a year, seeks to compel the European Union to legislate against game publishers shutting down servers and rendering games unplayable after ending support.

This initiative, spearheaded by Ross Scott and others, is gaining momentum. While the proposed law would only apply within the EU, the hope is that its success will inspire global change, either through similar legislation elsewhere or the adoption of industry-wide best practices. The petition, launched in August 2024, has already garnered considerable support, exceeding 183,000 signatures.

The catalyst for this movement was Ubisoft's shutdown of The Crew, an online-only racing game, in March 2024, effectively wiping out the investment of 12 million players. This highlights the growing concern over "planned obsolescence" in the gaming industry, where publishers profit from sales while retaining the power to render those purchases worthless. The petition directly addresses this by aiming to hold publishers accountable for server closures.

The proposed legislation would mandate that publishers maintain games in a playable state at the time of server shutdown, regardless of whether the game is free-to-play or a paid title with microtransactions. This does not, however, demand relinquishing intellectual property rights, source code, or ongoing support. The initiative clarifies that it won't force publishers to host servers indefinitely or assume liability for player actions.

The petition draws a parallel to the loss of silent films due to the practice of recovering silver from film stock. Scott argues that current practices are similarly destructive, rendering digital purchases obsolete and wasting players’ time and money. The successful example of Knockout City, shut down but later released as a free-to-play game with private server support, shows that alternative solutions are possible.

The petition’s success hinges on reaching one million signatures across various European countries. While a significant hurdle, the campaign has a year to achieve this goal. Individuals can sign the petition on the "Stop Killing Games" website, ensuring they follow country-specific instructions to avoid invalidating their signature. Even those outside Europe are encouraged to spread awareness of this crucial initiative.

The outcome of this petition could significantly impact the gaming industry, potentially setting a precedent for protecting players' digital investments globally.