The European Commission has decided against proposing new laws that would mandate publishers keep their video games playable after their servers are shut down. This decision comes after a campaign by consumer advocacy group Stop Killing Games, which presented its case to the European Parliament.
The Commission stated that existing laws already provide safeguards for consumers, including notification of a game's reliance on external servers and recourse for games that do not conform to contractual expectations. It cited intellectual property rights, particularly copyright law, as a barrier to imposing legal obligations on rights holders to maintain game accessibility post-commercial availability.
Despite the setback, Stop Killing Games views the outcome as unsurprising and is committed to continuing its efforts. "The fight goes on," the group stated, emphasizing that their movement is about more than a single petition. Organizers highlighted ongoing work on the Protect Our Games (POG) Act in the United States and plans to adapt similar legislation for the EU. They also indicated a focus on leveraging existing EU legislation and developing a new 'Stop Killing the Internet' initiative.
"We're much more than just this single petition," said Stop Killing Games organizer Moritz Katzner, who, alongside YouTuber Ross Scott, has been a prominent figure in the campaign. Scott expressed optimism regarding inroads made in the European Parliament, suggesting that amendments to the Digital Fairness Act remain a viable path forward with majority support. The group aims to continue building momentum and securing legislative changes to ensure games remain accessible to players.
The Commission, however, has committed to two steps to address the concerns raised. It will initiate dialogue with the videogame industry and consumer representatives to develop an industry code of conduct for managing the "end of life" of videogames. Additionally, it plans to collaborate with consumer organizations and authorities to enhance awareness of existing consumer protection regulations within the EU.