Gaming Petition Rejects Violence, Gains Support Across EU

A significant milestone has been reached for the Stop Destroying Video Games petition in the EU. The initiative has already secured the required number of signatures in seven countries, bringing it closer to its ambitious goal of 1 million signatures. Let's delve into the details.

EU Gamers Rally Behind the Cause

39% of the 1 Million Signature Goal Achieved

The Stop Destroying Video Games petition has surpassed its signature threshold in seven EU countries: Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Poland, and Sweden. The impressive response from gamers has yielded 397,943 signatures, representing a substantial 39% of the overall 1 million signature target.

Launched in June of this year, this petition addresses the growing concern of video games becoming unplayable after support ends. The aim is to establish legislation compelling publishers to maintain the functionality of online games even after official server closures.

The petition advocates for a law requiring publishers selling or licensing video games within the EU to ensure these games remain playable. Specifically, it seeks to prevent publishers from remotely disabling games without providing reasonable alternatives for continued gameplay independent of publisher involvement.

The petition highlights the case of Ubisoft's The Crew, a 2014 racing game with over 12 million players globally. Ubisoft's shutdown of the game's servers in March 2024 due to infrastructure and licensing issues sparked outrage among players, leading to lawsuits in California alleging violation of consumer protection laws.

While significant progress has been made, the petition still requires further support to reach its million-signature goal. EU citizens of voting age are encouraged to visit the petition website and contribute before the July 31st, 2025 deadline. Non-EU citizens can assist by spreading awareness of this important initiative.