Stop Killing Games
Stop Killing Games business and news from across the web.
California bill pushing to keep games playable after server shutdowns "doesn't reflect how games actually work", ESA assertThe Entertainment Software Association (ESA) opposes a California bill, AB 1921, that would require game publishers to offer playable versions or refunds when shutting down online game servers. The ESA argues the bill doesn't reflect current game development realities and could stifle innovation. The 'Stop Killing Games' campaign supports the bill, advocating for a fair end-of-life framework for online games.
"It is frustrating to see policymakers suddenly claim everything is 'for our safety'" - Stop Killing Games joins pushback against age verification lawsStop Killing Games is joining the pushback against new age verification laws, arguing they are complex to implement and could harm game preservation efforts. Founder Ross Scott stated that these laws could make distributions of Linux illegal in California and have already led to the shutdown of the game Urban Dead. The organization believes these laws do not address the root causes of online harm and disproportionately affect community projects.
Mozilla, Stop Killing Games and more team up to tell the UK to stop making the internet worseMozilla, Stop Killing Games, and the Electronic Frontier Foundation are among 19 organizations urging the UK government to reconsider its approach to internet regulation. They argue that recent legislation, like the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act, undermines the open internet and employs overly restrictive measures rather than focusing on user safety by default. The groups express concern that intrusive age verification processes could become mandatory for all users.
Stop Killing Games, Mozilla, EFF and others release statement urging UK policymakers to keep the web openMozilla, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, and Stop Killing Games, along with other organizations, have released a joint statement urging UK policymakers to address the root causes of online harm rather than implementing broad internet restrictions. The groups argue that measures like mandatory age verification and access bans could undermine the open web, infringe on human rights, and negatively impact game preservation.- UK Stop Killing Games group launches with new NGO Gamers’ VoiceThe new UK advocacy group Gamers' Voice has launched as part of the global Stop Killing Games movement to represent gamers' interests in policy discussions. The organization aims to address concerns around digital ownership, industry practices, and government regulations that could impact online games, ensuring player perspectives are included in debates.
"We want to ensure gamers are part of those conversations": Stop Killing Games launch player advocacy group to lobby the UK governmentThe Stop Killing Games campaign has launched a new UK advocacy group called Gamers' Voice to lobby the UK government on issues such as game preservation, live-service shutdowns, and online safety. The organization aims to ensure that gamers' perspectives are included in policy discussions affecting digital ownership and access to games. Gamers' Voice has already begun engaging with parliamentarians and aims to represent player interests in the UK.
Stop Killing Games movement celebrates as The Crew 2 sees further offline mode supportUbisoft has released updates for The Crew 2's Hybrid Mode, allowing offline access to features like livery creation and driver statistics, following pressure from the Stop Killing Games movement. The movement, which advocates for game preservation and successfully petitioned the European Parliament, claims credit for Ubisoft's continued support of The Crew 2's offline capabilities and similar plans for The Crew Motorfest.- Game History and PreservationStop Killing Games presented a compelling case for game preservation during a hearing in the European Parliament. The organization reported a highly positive reception from parliament members, indicating strong support for initiatives to protect video game history.
Stop Killing Games delivers 'absolutely incredible' hearing in European Parliament: 'There was no [parliament member] that wasn't responding positively'Stop Killing Games founder Ross Scott and organizer Moritz Katzner presented their case for game preservation to the European Parliament, receiving positive responses from various political groups. The initiative aims to establish requirements to prevent server-dependent games from being shut down when they are no longer profitable, with the organization also launching NGOs in the EU and US for long-term counter-lobbying.
'A real concern for millions and probably hundreds of millions of European citizens' - Stop Killing Games has its day in European Parliament and it seems to go very wellThe initiative Stop Killing Games presented its case for regulation in the European Parliament to address the issue of video games becoming unplayable after sale due to discontinued services. The hearing, which garnered over 1 million European citizen signatures, highlighted concerns about consumer rights and the permanent disabling of sold games, with officials pledging to investigate copyright regulations and potential solutions. Founder Ross Scott emphasized that this practice, exemplified by games like The Crew, results in consumers losing access to products they have paid for without adequate recourse.
"I'd say mission achieved for this one": Stop Killing Games on the latest European Commission public hearingStop Killing Games founder Ross Scott and organizer Moritz Katzner attended a European Parliament hearing on the European Citizens Initiative Stop Destroying Videogames. Both participants expressed optimism about the positive reception from MEPs and the European Commission, viewing the hearing as a significant step in the legislative process for video game preservation.
Stop Killing Games Campaign Scores Big Win with California BillA new California bill, supported by the Stop Killing Games campaign, aims to protect online games from disappearing by requiring clearer end-of-life policies from companies. While some express concerns about technical challenges and development costs, the legislation seeks to ensure players' investments and digital history are better protected. This move could set a precedent for national standards in game preservation and influence future game design towards longevity.- Game History and PreservationThe organization Stop Killing Games is supporting a California bill aimed at forcing companies to maintain game functionality. This initiative seeks to address the growing issue of game preservation by ensuring that purchased titles remain playable.
Stop Killing Games throw weight behind California bill that would force companies to either keep games working independently after server shutdowns or issue refundsThe campaign group Stop Killing Games is supporting a new bill in California called the 'Protect our Games Act'. This legislation would require game companies to either ensure server-connected games can function independently after support ends or issue full refunds to consumers. The group is also actively involved in similar efforts in the UK and Europe.- Stop Killing Games praises French lawsuit against Ubisoft, preps to speak at EU parliament April 16Consumer advocacy group Stop Killing Games, led by Ross Scott, is praising a lawsuit filed in France against Ubisoft over the sunsetting of The Crew. Scott is scheduled to speak at the EU parliament on April 16th regarding a citizens' initiative petition related to game preservation. The lawsuit's success in France could set a precedent for other European countries.
French consumer group sues Ubisoft over shutdown of The CrewFrench consumer association UFC-Que Choisir has filed a lawsuit against Ubisoft over the shutdown of the online racing game The Crew. The association alleges that Ubisoft misled consumers about the permanence of their purchase and imposed abusive clauses, leading to player backlash and the formation of the 'Stop Killing Games' movement.
The Crew – Ubisoft Hit by a New Lawsuit in France Supported by Stop Killing GamesUbisoft is facing a new lawsuit in France from consumer association UFC-Que Choisir, supported by Stop Killing Games, over its decision to revoke licenses for The Crew. The lawsuit alleges deceptive business practices and abusive terms regarding the game's revocable license. CEO Yves Guillemot defended the company's actions, stating that game support cannot last forever and that this is an industry-wide issue.
France's 'leading consumer association,' backed by Stop Killing Games, sues Ubisoft over The Crew…French consumer group UFC-Que Choisir, supported by Stop Killing Games, has filed a lawsuit against Ubisoft over the shutdown of the racing game The Crew. The lawsuit alleges that Ubisoft violated consumer rights by closing the game and revoking licenses without adequate prior notification. The Crew, launched in 2014, became unplayable in April 2024 after its servers were shut down.
Major French consumer group sue Ubisoft over always-online game shutdowns with the backing of Stop Killing GamesA major French consumer group, UFC-Que Choisir, backed by the Stop Killing Games movement, is suing Ubisoft over the shutdown of The Crew's servers. The lawsuit argues that Ubisoft infringed consumer rights by making the game unplayable and questions the practice of selling licenses for games that can later be revoked. This action aims to set a precedent for publishers discontinuing online support for games.- Stop Killing Games organizers say EU commission meeting ‘went fine’ but admit to uphill battlesOrganizers from the Stop Killing Games movement reported a 'fine' but challenging meeting with the European Union commission regarding game preservation. While some officials were supportive, others raised legal concerns about limiting companies' ability to remove purchased games. The campaign emphasizes that this is a consumer rights issue, not just about playing old games, and highlights the importance of preserving digital art.