Key Takeaways
1. The Stop Killing Games campaign seeks to prevent companies from making owned games unplayable after support ends.
2. Ubisoft faced backlash for ceasing support for The Crew and included a controversial clause in its EULA requiring players to destroy their game copies.
3. Gamers are concerned about being told how to manage their digital possessions, especially with online-dependent games.
4. The campaign advocates for the continuation of game operations even after official support ends, suggesting third-party servers as a solution.
5. Despite gaining over a million signatures, the gaming industry, represented by the Video Games Europe trade association, resists the campaign’s demands, citing safety and legal concerns.
The Stop Killing Games campaign aims to stop companies from making the games that players own unplayable. Recently, Ubisoft has faced a lot of backlash after it ceased support for The Crew in 2024. The publisher removed the racing game from online stores, cancelled digital licenses, and shut down servers. Gamers who took a closer look at the Ubisoft End User License Agreement (EULA) found some shocking wording. The agreement actually tells players to destroy their copies of the game.
EULA Concerns
While gamers usually just skim through agreements before agreeing, EULAs are designed to protect companies from possible legal issues. They might limit the publisher’s responsibilities for server outages or caution against piracy. However, it’s the last line of the Ubisoft agreement that is sparking outrage. The company declares, “Upon termination for any reason, You must immediately uninstall the Product and destroy all copies of the Product in Your possession.”
Consumer Reaction
Typically, people don’t take kindly to being told how to use their computers or to get rid of their possessions. The Ubisoft EULA isn’t an isolated case; other games, like Oblivion Remastered, also require similar agreements. Yet, it’s the games that rely heavily on online features that worry the Stop Killing Games movement the most.
The campaign wants publishers to keep games operational even after they stop supporting the software. Ubisoft titles, such as The Crew, are deeply connected to online services. When the servers go offline, all gameplay options become unavailable. Some players have urged publishers to consider third-party servers, which could prolong the lifespan of a game for many years.
Industry Pushback
Even though Stop Killing Games has gathered over a million signatures, the gaming industry is resisting its demands. The Video Games Europe trade association, which includes major publishers like Ubisoft and Microsoft, stated that only the servers run by publishers can guarantee player safety and reduce the chances of legal or civil issues. Companies might also need to spend money to keep games playable long after they are released.
It’s uncertain whether Stop Killing Games can influence changes regarding the rights of gamers. However, it could lead potential buyers to hesitate before buying certain games or agreeing to an EULA.
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