A major milestone has been reached in the campaign to preserve access to video games after their developers shut down support. The Stop Killing Games petition has surpassed 1.2 million signatures, pushing the European Union to consider legislation to protect your right to play the games you’ve paid for—even after they’ve been delisted or had their servers taken offline.
But while this progress is promising, the battle is far from over. There are still two major hurdles to overcome before real change can occur: validating the petition’s signatures and addressing opposition from major video game companies.
What is the Stop Killing Games movement?
The Stop Killing Games initiative was launched by video creator Ross Scott, known for his work on the Accursed Farms YouTube channel. His campaign was sparked by Ubisoft’s decision to remove The Crew from online stores and shut down its servers in early 2024. What made matters worse was that players who had bought the game could no longer access it, even though they had paid for it.
Scott and many supporters argue this sets a dangerous precedent. You could spend money on a game only for it to vanish when the company decides it’s no longer profitable or convenient to keep running. Scott’s goal is simple: to pass laws that require developers to ensure games remain playable, even if the company stops supporting them.
The petition, hosted on the EU’s official initiative platform—not a casual site like Change.org—means that if it collects enough valid support, lawmakers are obligated to review it. That makes verifying the authenticity of each signature essential.
Concerns over fake signatures and verification
In a recent YouTube video, Scott raised concerns that not all the signatures may be valid. Some people may have filled them out incorrectly, while others may have spoofed information. Because this is an official EU initiative, spoofing is not only unhelpful—it’s illegal.
“This is not a Change.org petition, this is a government process,” Scott said. “Spoofing signatures on it is a crime.”
He estimates that they’ll need at least 10% more signatures to make up for any that may be ruled invalid. As of July 6, the petition had passed the 1.2 million mark, providing some breathing room—but there’s still a chance that large portions could be disqualified.
Scott has encouraged supporters to double-check their submissions and help spread the word to ensure every signature counts.
Industry giants push back
Despite public support, the gaming industry’s biggest players are pushing back. Video Games Europe, a group comprising companies such as Microsoft, Nintendo, and Electronic Arts, has issued a formal statement opposing the “Stop Killing Games” campaign.
They argue that giving players continued access to games—especially online-only titles—poses serious challenges. “Private servers are not always a viable alternative,” the group said, citing risks around data security, illegal content, and unsafe player interactions.
They also warned that the proposal could make game development more expensive and risky, particularly for titles that rely entirely on online experiences. According to Video Games Europe, these changes could deter companies from creating or launching certain types of games in Europe.
In a longer report, the group claimed the initiative could “raise the costs and risks of developing such games,” create a “chilling effect on game design,” and ultimately “act as a disincentive to making such games available in Europe.”
With over 1.2 million signatures, the Stop Killing Games movement is well on its way—but the real work begins now. You can expect the petition to go through a validation process before the EU considers it.
In the meantime, Scott and his supporters are urging gamers to remain vigilant, help verify signatures, and continue to press lawmakers. Whether you’re a casual player or a lifelong fan, the future of game ownership could very well depend on what happens next.
