The European Commission has declined to introduce legislation that would require video game publishers to keep discontinued games playable, dealing a setback to the Stop Killing Games campaign despite support from more than 1.3 million citizens across the European Union.
Campaign Background
The campaign, formally submitted as the European Citizens' Initiative “Stop Destroying Videogames”, argued that publishers should not be able to render games unplayable after ending official support, particularly when those games were sold as complete products to consumers. In January, the initiative surpassed the threshold required for formal review after securing 1,294,188 verified statements of support. The proposal was subsequently presented to the European Commission in February, followed by a hearing in the European Parliament in April and a plenary debate in May.
Commission's Official Response
In its official response published on June 16, the Commission said it “cannot propose a legal obligation” requiring publishers to keep games playable after commercial support has ended. Instead, the Commission announced plans to begin discussions with video game industry representatives and consumer groups by the end of 2026 to develop an industry code of conduct covering the end-of-life management of video games. According to the Commission, a legal requirement to maintain access to discontinued games “would not be proportionate”.
The response cited concerns including intellectual property rights, confidential business information, costs for publishers and potential cybersecurity or safety risks associated with unsupported software. The proposed code of conduct may encourage clearer storefront disclosures about possible future shutdowns and greater cooperation with cultural heritage institutions to preserve games. However, it would not require publishers to release offline modes, private server tools or other methods allowing players to continue accessing games once official support ends.
Existing Consumer Protections
The Commission also stated that existing EU consumer protection laws already provide safeguards relating to transparency, contract terms and potential refunds in certain circumstances.
Campaign Response
Following the decision, the Stop Killing Games campaign said it would continue pursuing legislative change and is now urging Members of the European Parliament to incorporate its proposals into the Digital Fairness Act. The group described the Commission's response as “not unexpected” and indicated that its efforts would continue beyond the current initiative.
