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Campaign challenges industry practice of disabling paid games
The European Commission is reviewing a petition signed by nearly 1.3 million people demanding new rules to prevent video game publishers from permanently disabling titles after players have already purchased them. The initiative, Stop Killing Games, was launched in 2024 by American content creator Ross Scott following Ubisoft's decision to shut down the online racing game The Crew.
The Crew shutdown sparks global debate
Ubisoft announced in 2024 that it would take The Crew offline, citing "server infrastructure and licensing constraints." The game, which had attracted over 12 million players since its release, became unplayable for all users, including those who had invested years in the title. Longtime player Chemicalflood described the shutdown as a personal loss, noting the game had been a shared experience with his children.
"The shutdown itself wasn't upsetting," he said. "But how they handled it was the kick in the teeth."
Legal battles and industry pushback
Ubisoft defended its decision in a California court, arguing that players purchased a license-not ownership-and were warned that online services might not last indefinitely. A class-action lawsuit filed by two players was voluntarily withdrawn in June 2025. Meanwhile, industry group Video Games Europe warned that restricting shutdowns could increase development costs for online-only games.
"In no way are we asking companies to keep servers running. They can end support anytime they want,"
Ross Scott, Stop Killing Games founder
The campaign instead proposes "responsible" shutdowns, such as releasing offline versions or tools to preserve gameplay.
Regulatory responses vary across regions
The European Commission must respond to the petition by July 27. In France, consumer group UFC-Que Choisir filed a lawsuit against Ubisoft, alleging misleading contract terms. The UK government, however, has rejected calls for new legislation, stating existing consumer laws suffice. In the U.S., California's Protect Our Games Act-which would require refunds or continued playability-passed the State Assembly and is now before the Senate.
Live-service games and the future of digital ownership
NYU Stern professor Joost van Dreunen compared live-service games to digital communities rather than static products. "Every new live-service game invents its own demise," he said, noting that publishers often abandon titles as player bases shrink. Recent examples include Sony's Destruction AllStars and Concord, the latter of which was shut down within two weeks of launch.
Scott acknowledged the campaign's long road ahead but emphasized the growing public debate. "We're not asking for servers to run forever," he said. "We're asking for a fair end-of-life plan."
