Campaign "Stop Killing Games" Gains Support in the European Parliament

The campaign "Stop Killing Games", which aims to combat the shutdown of digital games and the disconnection of online servers, received significant support in the European Parliament. The initiative, which gained strength with the support of French deputy Manon Aubry and her party La France Insoumise, seeks to pressure lawmakers to create rules that ensure the longevity of digital games and continuous consumer access to products they have paid for. This movement is an important step in defending the rights of players and preserving the history of video games.

Political support for the campaign "Stop Killing Games" in the European Parliament marks a crucial advance in the fight for preserving digital games and consumer rights.

The campaign "Stop Killing Games" emerges as a direct response to the growing trend of publishers shutting down digital games and disconnecting their online servers, making them unplayable. This practice directly affects consumers who have purchased these titles and raises questions about the ownership of digital goods. Games like Need for Speed Rivals, which will have its servers shut down by EA on August 31, 2025, are recent examples of this reality.

Deputy Manon Aubry and her party La France Insoumise announced their support for the campaign, emphasizing the need for "new rules" to protect digital games, which are considered "art and heritage." They argue that companies should not have the power to "destroy cultural works" once players have acquired them. The statement reinforces the cultural and historical aspect of video games, equating them to other forms of art that are protected by preservation laws.

"Video games are works of art and heritage that we must preserve for future generations. We cannot let companies decide to destroy cultural works that players have purchased," said the deputy.

The discussion about the preservation of digital games has gained more visibility in recent years, as many titles become inaccessible due to server shutdowns, directly impacting gameplay and the ability to access purchased content.

Political support in the European Parliament for the campaign "Stop Killing Games" could have serious implications for the video game industry. If laws are implemented to regulate the shutdown of games and servers, publishers may be required to adopt different business models or provide alternative methods of access to games after server shutdowns, such as offering complete offline versions or releasing source codes to the community.

Companies like Microsoft, which recently closed studios and canceled games, and Sony, which has also faced challenges with its live service projects, would be directly affected by this legislation. Pressure for profitability and portfolio restructuring, leading to game cancellations, like the more than 17 titles already discontinued in 2025, could be mitigated or at least regulated.

The "Stop Killing Games" campaign raises a crucial debate about companies' responsibility to keep digital products available and the need to protect consumers in the digital environment. The outcome of these discussions in the European Parliament could shape the future of how games are developed, distributed, and preserved.