A Growing Movement to Save Video Games Reaches 800,000 Supporters

A campaign called Stop Killing Games has gained massive traction. It’s now crossed 800,000 signatures and shows no signs of slowing down. Started by Ross Scott, this push aims to protect video games from becoming unplayable when publishers pull the plug. I’ve been following this, and it’s exciting to see gamers rally for a cause that could change the industry.

The idea behind Stop Killing Games is simple but powerful. Many games are sold as products with no clear end date, yet they rely on publisher servers to work. When those servers shut down, the games die, even if you paid full price. Scott calls this a kind of planned obsolescence, where companies design games to stop working eventually. It’s frustrating for players and makes preserving gaming history nearly impossible.

This movement is targeting the European Citizens’ Initiative, which needs 1 million signatures by July 31, 2025, to push for legal changes in the EU. The campaign argues that if you buy a game, you should own it fully, not lose access when a company decides to move on. It’s a bold stand against a practice that’s gone unchallenged for too long.

There’s also a UK petition aiming for 100,000 signatures to bring the issue to Parliament. It hasn’t hit that mark yet, but the momentum is building. Social media influencers have recently given the campaign a big boost, spreading the word and driving more signatures. Posts on X show growing excitement, with some calling out critics who defend publishers.

I’ve seen this issue firsthand with games like ‘The Crew’, which became unplayable after Ubisoft shut down its servers in 2024. It’s not just about losing access—it’s about losing a piece of culture. Games like ‘World of Warcraft’ or ‘Destiny 2’ could face similar fates one day, despite their huge communities.

The campaign doesn’t stop at petitions. Stop Killing Games is encouraging people worldwide to take action, even outside the EU and UK. Their website offers guides on how to get involved, from contacting lawmakers to raising awareness. It’s inspiring to see a grassroots effort take on big publishers like Activision or EA.

Whether this will lead to real change is unclear, but the numbers speak for themselves. With 800,000 signatures and counting, gamers are sending a clear message: we want our games to last. If you’re in the EU or UK, you can still sign before the deadline. This could be a turning point for how we think about owning digital products.