The growing Stop Killing Games movement has gained a significant political endorsement. Romanian politician and Vice President of the European Parliament, Nicolae Ștefănuță, has publicly voiced his support for the campaign, calling for stronger consumer rights in digital game ownership. In a recent social media statement, he declared: “A sold game belongs to the buyer, not the company”, echoing the sentiments of over a million European citizens who have signed the petition.

The Stop Killing Games initiative, spearheaded by YouTuber and game preservation advocate Ross Scott, demands that publishers be legally obligated to maintain the functionality of paid games, even after official support ends. The movement was originally sparked by the shutdown of Ubisoft’s The Crew servers, which rendered the game unplayable even for those who purchased it. However, Scott notes that the idea predated that event, fueled by growing frustration over digital game delistings and service shutdowns.

Having surpassed the threshold of one million verified signatures in early July, the campaign now qualifies for formal review within the European Union. This may include public hearings or parliamentary debate, depending on the next stages of the process. Ștefănuță has pledged continued support and signed the petition himself, lending political weight to a grassroots movement previously dismissed by parts of the industry.

Stop Killing Games: Industry Pushback

While the campaign gains momentum among gamers and policymakers, it faces resistance from major industry players. The Video Games Europe association—representing publishers such as Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo, Ubisoft, EA, Square Enix, Warner Bros., and Epic Games—responded critically to the proposal. In a public statement, the group argued that requiring long-term operational support would increase development costs and potentially limit creative flexibility, especially for games designed as online-only from the start.

The association maintained that server shutdowns are complex, multi-layered business decisions, often made when continued support becomes commercially unviable. While acknowledging players’ disappointment, they emphasized that publishers generally provide advance notice of such decisions.

Additionally, Video Games Europe raised concerns about data privacy and legal responsibility if private servers were to replace official ones.

“We ensure protection of user data, remove illegal content, and address harmful behavior—responsibilities that fall away with unofficial alternatives,” the association stated.

Despite these concerns, the group expressed willingness to engage in discussions with Stop Killing Games organizers and EU officials.

The Bigger Picture

The Stop Killing Games campaign highlights a growing consumer demand for digital preservation, ownership transparency, and long-term access to purchased content. With digital sales becoming the norm, the issue of game obsolescence due to corporate decisions has become a focal point for consumer rights advocates.

Games like The Crew, Concord, and Anthem are just a few high-profile titles that have become completely unplayable following server shutdowns. With more live-service and always-online games entering the market, the debate around digital game ownership is expected to intensify.

As the petition heads toward formal EU consideration, the campaign’s core message remains clear: players should not lose access to games they’ve paid for. And now, with the backing of a European Parliament vice president, that message is becoming harder for the industry—and lawmakers—to ignore.