The European Commission has made a significant decision regarding the preservation of video games. Instead of enforcing a mandatory law, the Commission will work towards a voluntary code of conduct for developers and publishers. This move comes after a grassroots campaign, Stop Killing Gamesgathered enough support to bring the issue to the forefront.
The Commission’s decision was influenced by existing copyright and intellectual property laws, which made enacting a mandatory law challenging. The focus will now shift to improving industry standards and raising awareness about consumer rights.
The Stop Killing Games Movement
The Stop Killing Games movement began in 2026, sparked by Ubisoft’s decision to shut down the servers for The Crewan online driving game. The company even removed the game from players’ libraries, which ignited a debate about game ownership and preservation in the digital age. This incident highlighted the need for clearer communication and better practices regarding the sunsetting of online games.
Industry Response and Consumer Awareness
The European Commission will collaborate with consumer organizations and authorities to raise awareness about the rights that protect consumers. A report on these efforts is expected before the end of 2026. Meanwhile, some gaming platforms like Steam have already started to adopt clearer language to inform players that they are purchasing a license to the game, not outright ownership.
In California, progress has been made with a state law that sets industry standards for communicating the end of game support to players. This law serves as a model for how the industry can better inform consumers about the lifecycle of their games.
The Commission’s decision to explore ways to improve industry standards rather than enforce a mandatory law reflects a balanced approach. By working with developers and publishers, the goal is to create a voluntary code of conduct that ensures better practices for game preservation and consumer rights.
