Key Takeaways
- The Stop Killing Games movement has collected approximately 1.45 million signatures, with about 97% deemed valid, positioning it for official verification.
- The verification process is expected to take around three months, during which the campaign team will engage with lawmakers and counter misinformation.
- The campaign began in 2024 after Ubisoft's closure of "The Crew," advocating for player rights to access games after official support ends.
- The goal is to push game companies to offer options like offline modes or private servers to protect players' ownership rights.
- Supporters are encouraged to stay connected via social media for updates as lawmakers consider new regulations to protect access to purchased games.
The Stop Killing Games movement has hit a significant milestone. Recently, the organizers shared that they have gathered around 1.45 million signatures by the end of July, with initial checks indicating that approximately 97% of these signatures are valid. This strong showing positions the campaign well for its next phase: official verification by the relevant authorities. If the petition receives approval, it will be submitted to the European Commission for consideration on what actions to take next.
Next Steps in Verification
The expected duration for the verification process is roughly three months. The campaign team is already gearing up for discussions with lawmakers while also addressing misinformation and lobbying from the gaming industry. Some long-time contributors, including founder Ross Scott, have taken a step back, allowing new individuals to manage the day-to-day activities of the campaign. The team has noted that this change is yielding positive outcomes.
Campaign Origins and Objectives
To provide some context, the campaign was initiated in 2024 after Ubisoft decided to close down "The Crew," which resulted in the loss of access to games that players had purchased. The movement is advocating for game companies to create options for players to continue enjoying their games after official support ceases, including features like offline modes or private servers. The main aim is to safeguard players' ownership rights and stop video games from vanishing, especially as the cost of purchasing and producing video games continues to rise annually. The backing from the public has allowed the campaign to exceed the one million signature threshold necessary to prompt a formal examination by the European Commission.
Staying Connected
The campaign also urges its supporters to remain active through their official social media channels on Reddit, Discord, Mastodon, and Twitter for the latest updates. The coming months are crucial as lawmakers will deliberate on the potential introduction of new regulations to ensure access to games that players have already purchased.
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