The gaming community is on the verge of achieving a significant milestone with a petition that could transform the way multiplayer games are managed post-launch. There has been a troubling trend recently where publishers shut down servers and render games unplayable, effectively ‘killing’ them.
This campaign, known as Stop Killing Games aims to gather one million signatures for a European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI). If successful, this would compel the European Commission to consider legislation making it illegal for game publishers to disable access to online-only games that players have purchased.
Ubisoft May Have Triggered One of The Most Important Movements for Multiplayer Games
Online-only multiplayer games have become increasingly prevalent, relying on servers to function. When these servers are shut down, players are left with unplayable titles, despite having paid for them. This practice, often justified by publishers citing licensing issues or high maintenance costs, has sparked widespread frustration among gamers.
The European Citizens' Initiative has launched! This is the biggest and most ambitious chance to create law on publishers destroying videogames they have already have sold to you. Get EU citizens to sign it!https://t.co/cAWDD8O6tq
— Accursed Farms (@accursedfarms) July 31, 2024
The closure of The Crew by Ubisoft earlier this year was a catalyst for the Stop Killing Games campaign. The game, which required an online connection, was rendered unplayable when Ubisoft shut down its servers.
This left millions of players unable to access a game they had paid for, prompting a significant backlash. The initiative aims to protect consumer rights and preserve multiplayer games as cultural artifacts by ensuring that publishers cannot simply “kill” a game by shutting down its servers.
In addition to legal measures, the initiative advocates for practical solutions like enabling private servers or offline modes for online-only multiplayer games. These alternatives could provide a way for players to continue enjoying their games even after official support ends.
If This Goes Through, We Might See a Different Future
Multiplayer games becoming unplayable has been a growing issue in the gaming industry. Titles like Redfall and Friday the 13th are recent examples where server shutdowns have left players without access to content they paid for. This trend not only affects consumers but also undermines the hard work of developers and the cultural significance of these multiplayer games.
The European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) is a powerful tool in this fight. If the petition reaches one million signatures from at least seven EU countries, the European Commission must consider the proposed legislation. This approach will empower people to directly influence EU policy, making it a critical avenue for addressing widespread concerns.
The initiative has gained significant traction, with nearly 200,000 signatures already collected. The petition, available for signing on the European Citizens’ Initiative website, has received support from gamers across 27 European countries. Although the UK is not participating due to its departure from the EU, the campaign’s success in Europe could set a precedent that influences global policy.
The initiative has already seen significant support, with nearly 50,000 signatures collected shortly after its launch. However, reaching the one million mark is no small feat. The campaign relies heavily on grassroots efforts and the mobilization of the gaming community across Europe.
Do you think this petition will change the future of multiplayer games? Make sure to leave a comment a comment below and let us know your thoughts.
