GNCA recently conducted an insightful interview with Ross Scott from Accursed Farms, focusing on the “Stop Killing Games” campaign. This initiative calls for legal protections that ensure players retain access to their games even after online services are discontinued. Central to this effort is a European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) that seeks to require game publishers to provide a playable version of their titles once official server support ends, marking a significant move for digital ownership rights.
Scott highlights a pressing issue in the gaming industry—the persistent risk of games becoming unplayable when companies shut down their servers. These are not just free-to-play or subscription-based games; they are full-priced products that can be rendered unusable with little notice. Scott frames this issue as a broken model, where consumers are left without recourse for their investments.
The ECI has attracted over 540,000 verified signatures, aiming for a target of 1 million by the end of July. Achieving this goal would prompt a formal review by the European Commission, potentially leading to new consumer protection measures across EU member states. Scott points out that such legal reforms could have a ripple effect globally, as many developers choose to implement uniform policies rather than navigate a patchwork of regulations in different regions.
In addition to the EU initiative, a petition in the UK is also advancing, though it has faced bureaucratic obstacles. Earlier attempts were cut short, but a new petition is now active and requires 100,000 signatures to be considered for Parliamentary debate. Scott acknowledges that the UK’s legal landscape is more complex, but emphasizes the importance of advocating for digital preservation rights within this system.
The initiative is forward-looking and is not retroactive; it will not affect games that have already been discontinued. Instead, it focuses on future titles, providing studios with ample time to comply without compromising proprietary data. Scott cites the enduring operation of games like Guild Wars as an example of what is achievable, contrasting it with titles like The Crew that were abruptly removed without notice or compensation.
While there are limited avenues for U.S. audiences to influence this initiative, Scott remains optimistic about its potential global impact. Should the EU establish preservation standards, publishers may find it more cost-effective to implement similar practices worldwide, benefiting players across different regions.
Scott frames the discussion within the broader context of digital rights, comparing it to the right-to-repair movement where users are often deprived of the full utility of their purchased products. This ongoing struggle for digital ownership is reminiscent of how devices can become obsolete when companies cease support.
The current efforts represent a significant opportunity to challenge the rising trend of digital disempowerment in the gaming industry. With the ECI and UK petition gaining momentum, this movement not only symbolizes a call for change but also aims to establish enforceable policies that protect consumers from losing access to content they have purchased.
For EU citizens interested in participating, there are links provided to sign the European Citizens’ Initiative, and UK citizens can also lend their support through the petition aimed at Parliament.