adminThe Stop Killing Games petition has prompted the European Commission to address what happens when publishers discontinue video games. The Commission says it cannot propose a legal requirement that games remain playable after they are no longer sold, but it plans to bring industry and consumer representatives together to discuss better shutdown practices.
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Stop Killing Games petition prompts EU industry discussions
The Commission points to existing intellectual property rules as one reason it cannot require rights holders to keep discontinued games running. Those rules give creators and rights holders exclusive rights over their work. The Commission also says that EU consumer legislation already includes protections for buyers of digital content and services.
For players, the practical takeaway is to check a game’s terms before purchasing, particularly when access depends on online servers. Providers are required to explain the contract’s duration and the conditions under which it can end before a customer signs up.
What consumer protections may apply when a game shuts down?
Under EU rules for digital content and services, consumers may have remedies if a product or service fails to meet the contract or what buyers could reasonably expect. Depending on the circumstances, this can include a proportionate refund. The Commission says players should be appropriately reimbursed if a provider ends access earlier than the contract states or earlier than consumers could reasonably expect.
These protections have applied to digital content and services, including video games, since January 1, 2022. Players concerned about a shutdown can review their purchase terms and contact the seller or a relevant consumer organisation to understand which rights may apply to their situation.
A proposed code of conduct for games’ end of life
Rather than introduce a new legal duty to preserve every game, the Commission intends to facilitate discussions between representatives of the games industry and consumer groups. The stated goal is to develop an industry code of conduct for managing a video game’s end of life. The Commission also plans to raise awareness of consumer rights.
Henna Virkkunen, the Commission’s Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, said the initiative reflects the cultural importance of video games. She expressed hope that companies would hear player concerns and adopt stronger sunsetting standards, allowing communities to continue meeting and playing together.
Michael McGrath, Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, emphasised that providers should treat customers fairly when discontinuing a game. He also encouraged consumers to make use of the redress rights available under EU legislation.
Why the petition was launched
The EU version of the Stop Killing Games petition reached 1.3 million signatures, a milestone its organisers announced in January 2026. The campaign began in 2024 after Ubisoft took the online racing game The Crew offline, ten years after its release.
The Commission’s response does not promise that discontinued titles will remain playable. Instead, the proposed dialogue and code of conduct may help clarify what players can expect when a game reaches the end of its service. For now, checking contract terms and seeking guidance from consumer authorities remain useful steps. The Stop Killing Games petition has put the issue on the EU agenda, while its longer-term impact will depend on the discussions and any standards that follow.
