This weekend marked a significant turning point for the Stop Killing Games movement, as it officially transitioned into a European Citizens’ Initiative. This development, however, has not been met with universal support. Video Games Europe, a prominent trade association representing game developers and publishers across the EU, issued a statement on Friday expressing its concerns regarding the initiative.
Industry Response
In its statement, Video Games Europe acknowledged the fervor of the gaming community but emphasized the complexities involved in the decision to discontinue online services. “We appreciate the passion of our community; however, the decision to discontinue online services is multi-faceted, never taken lightly, and must be an option for companies when an online experience is no longer commercially viable,” the association noted. They further clarified that while such decisions can be disappointing for players, the industry is committed to providing fair notice of any impending changes in accordance with local consumer protection laws.
The official website of Stop Killing Games articulates the movement’s core mission: “Stop Killing Games is a consumer movement started to challenge the legality of publishers destroying video games they have sold to customers.” The movement highlights a growing concern among gamers: many video games are sold as tangible goods without a specified expiration date, yet they become completely unplayable once publisher support ceases.
Concerns Over Planned Obsolescence
This practice, described as a form of planned obsolescence, raises significant issues not only for consumers but also for the preservation of digital culture. The movement argues that such practices hinder the ability to maintain and enjoy games long after their initial release. Additionally, the legality of these practices remains largely untested in various jurisdictions, leaving many questions unanswered.
Despite the pushback from Video Games Europe, the Stop Killing Games movement is clearly resonating with gamers, having amassed over a million signatures for its EU petition. However, even if the movement succeeds in instigating policy changes, these regulations would likely be limited to the EU and potentially the UK. This leaves the door open for publishers and developers to continue shutting down games in other regions without facing similar scrutiny.
