The Stop Killing Games movement, initiated by content creator Ross Scott, has gained relevance in the video game industry following Ubisoft’s decision to shut down the servers of The Crew. This movement seeks to question the legality and ethics of publishers who decide to close games that have already been sold to consumers. During a shareholders’ meeting, Ubisoft’s CEO, Yves Guillemot, was asked about the goals of the movement and stated that games are not meant to “last forever.”
Statements that go against consumers
Guillemot emphasized that “a service is provided, but nothing is set in stone and, at some point, the service may be discontinued.” The CEO stated that the company is working to minimize the impact on players, but the reality is that “support for all games cannot last indefinitely.” These statements come in a context where Ubisoft is facing a lawsuit over the closure of The Crew servers.
The Stop Killing Games movement has also received criticism from the association Video Games Europe, which warns that proposals to keep older games alive could limit developers’ freedom and increase creation costs. This dilemma resonates throughout the industry, as it is not just Ubisoft that is closing titles. BioWare has announced the closure of Anthem for January 2026, and Sony’s Concord was discontinued shortly after its release.
These server shutdowns and the discussion about their legality and ethics reflect a shift in the perception of the value of video games, raising important questions about the relationship between publishers and consumers in a rapidly evolving market.