A growing consumer movement called Stop Killing Games is taking aim at a troubling trend in the video game industry: publishers remotely “killing” games customers have already paid for. Think you own that game you bought last year? Think again.
Why the movement started?
In recent years, many games — even those sold at full price — have become effectively rented experiences. They’re sold as if you’re buying a product, but the fine print often hides a ticking clock: once servers shut down or publisher support ends, the game becomes unplayable. No offline mode. No patch. Just a splash screen and silence.
This practice, known as planned obsolescence, has sparked anger among gamers who argue they’re being misled. If a game is sold like a permanent good, shouldn’t it stay playable — at least in some form?
What do the laws say?
Unlike physical goods, the legal frameworks around digital games remain murky. In many countries, it’s unclear whether shutting down access to a purchased game is even legal. Consumer protection laws simply haven’t kept pace with the industry’s rapid digital transformation.
That’s where Stop Killing Games comes in. The group has spent the past year lodging formal complaints with consumer agencies in France, Germany, and Australia, arguing that delisting or deactivating purchased games breaches consumer rights. They’ve also submitted petitions and proposals for new laws in multiple jurisdictions.
What’s at stake?
At the heart of this movement is not just player frustration but also the issue of preservation. When publishers pull the plug on online-only games, they don’t just disappear from store shelves — they’re wiped from history. No archives, no backups, no way for future generations to study or experience them. It’s a bit like torching old movies or banning libraries from keeping certain books.
Preservationists argue this not only hurts fans but also erodes gaming’s cultural legacy. As more titles shift to live-service or always-online models, the risk of entire genres and milestones vanishing increases.
The EU factor
One of the last remaining levers of change is a European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) — a powerful legal tool within the EU. If Stop Killing Games can gather enough signatures from EU citizens, the European Commission will be forced to formally consider new legislation. That could mean stronger protections for digital goods and, importantly, new rights for consumers to retain and access the games they paid for.
While only EU citizens can sign the ECI, supporters around the world are being encouraged to help by spreading the word, especially to friends in Europe who can participate.
Even if the laws change only in Europe, the ripple effects could be global. Large publishers typically adjust their practices across major markets. Just as GDPR reshaped privacy standards worldwide, success here could pressure studios to keep games accessible longer, regardless of where you live.
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