The Stop Killing Games initiative has garnered over a million signatures in Europe, a significant effort to defend online video games that become unplayable once developers stop providing support. The movement, which opposes planned obsolescence practices, has found a strong public response, although it has been dismissed by the lobbying group Video Games Europe, which considers the initiative to be “disproportionate”.
Warner Bros. and Microsoft among those fighting to prevent it from moving forward
In a recent statement, Video Games Europe, which represents major publishers like Warner Bros. and Microsoft, questioned the legal objectives of the promoters of Stop Killing Games. The group argues that the lawsuits, which include maintaining online services indefinitely and allowing private servers, would be detrimental to the video game industry. “Requiring companies to maintain online services beyond their commercial viability would create a deterrent effect on game design,” they stated.
The movement, although lacking clarity in certain areas, has resonated with many players who feel they acquire products that become unusable when the company withdraws support. On its FAQ page, Stop Killing Games states that it seeks to keep the demand simple to avoid misunderstandings. However, Video Games Europe believes that this vagueness could hinder the interpretation of the proposal and that the initiative as a whole lacks solid foundations.
Despite the resistance from Video Games Europe, the public response has been largely positive towards the initiative. Comments on social media have been critical of the organization’s stance, highlighting support for the cause. Stop Killing Games aims to continue collecting signatures, warning that there is a possibility that a significant portion of those that have reached a million may not be authentic, which could affect the legitimacy of the movement.
