The Crew
News, coverage and analysis tracking The Crew across the outlets.
Minecraft, Call Of Duty Community Servers Are “Illegal,” Claims ESA RepAn Entertainment Software Association (ESA) representative claimed that private community servers for Minecraft and Call of Duty are illegal and constitute piracy. Jennifer Gibbons, the ESA's vice president of state government affairs, argued that these servers are not affiliated with Microsoft and do not adhere to the same safety standards as official servers. The 'Stop Killing Games' movement has vowed to continue advocating for game preservation and the legality of community servers in future legislation.- The ESA is up to its tired old tricks in helping to block a California games preservation billThe Electronic Software Association (ESA) is reportedly lobbying against California's AB 1921, the Protect Our Games Act, which aims to preserve online games. The ESA is accused of using misleading claims to deter lawmakers, including calling private servers for games like Minecraft and Call of Duty illegal. Despite the bill failing to pass committee, the 'Stop Killing Games' initiative plans to continue advocating for game preservation.
Ubisoft co-founder Claude Guillemot has died in a plane crashUbisoft co-founder Claude Guillemot has died at the age of 69 in a plane crash. He was also the chairman of Guillemot Corp, which owns the accessories brand Thrustmaster. The article also touches on the European Commission's response to the 'Stop Killing Games' petition, agreeing to facilitate an industry code of conduct for managing the end-of-life for video games.
‘Stop Destroying Videogames’ – European Commission Responds to Initiative Supported by Over A Million SupportersThe European Commission has responded to the 'Stop Destroying Videogames' initiative, stating it cannot legally compel publishers to keep games playable indefinitely. While not proposing new legislation, the Commission will initiate industry discussions by the end of 2026 to draft a code of conduct for game end-of-life management and will raise awareness of existing consumer rights.
European Commission aims to facilitate code of conduct for managing "end of life" for games following Stop Killing Games petitionThe European Commission will facilitate a discussion between the games industry and consumers to create a code of conduct for managing the end-of-life for video games, following a petition signed by 1.3 million people. While unable to legally mandate game preservation due to intellectual property rights, the EC will raise awareness of existing EU consumer laws that provide remedies for digital content and services no longer available as contracted.
Stop Killing Games suffers setback following European Parliamentary hearing - but all is not lostThe European Commission has decided not to propose new legislation for online game preservation, stating that existing EU copyright and consumer laws provide sufficient safeguards. This ruling is a setback for the Stop Killing Games movement, which had petitioned for a legal framework to prevent games from becoming unplayable when online services are shut down. While the Commission will encourage an industry code of conduct and greater transparency, it will not mandate game companies to keep titles playable indefinitely.
EU rules against Stop Killing Games, but after 2 years of campaigning founder insists change is coming: "Our position almost seems too good to be true"The EU Commission has decided against recommending new legislation to prevent publishers from revoking access to online-only games, a setback for the Stop Killing Games campaign. Despite this, campaign founder Ross Scott remains optimistic, stating that they have secured support within the EU Parliament to amend the Digital Fairness Act and pass legislation independently of the Commission's decision. The Commission will instead convene industry and consumer representatives to draft a code of conduct for managing the end-of-life for video games.
EU Commission to 'engage with the industry' over Stop Killing Games initiativeThe European Commission will engage with the video game industry and consumers by the end of 2026 to address the issue of publishers disabling games. This follows a European Citizens' Initiative, 'Stop Killing Games,' which advocates for players to retain access to purchased titles. The Commission is exploring industry codes of conduct and leveraging existing consumer protection laws to incentivize longer game lifespans, citing Ubisoft's delisting and shutdown of The Crew as a key example.
Ubisoft closes another 2 studios, lays off hundreds more employeesUbisoft is closing studios in Winnipeg and Belgrade and laying off approximately 380 employees as part of a cost-reduction strategy. The Ubisoft Barcelona studio will shift its focus exclusively to the Rainbow Six franchise, while other studios undergo restructuring into five creative houses. This follows departures of several high-level creatives and ongoing investment in artificial intelligence.
"The timing is impossible to ignore": Stop Killing Games says Ubisoft attended "invitation-only" meeting with EU Commission ahead of response to campaign sparked by The Crew shutdown, but it "was not invited"The Stop Killing Games movement alleges that Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot attended an "invitation-only" meeting with the European Commission shortly before the commission's planned response to their European Citizens' Initiative. The movement, which advocates against games being taken offline after purchase, was not invited to this meeting. This comes after Ubisoft shut down The Crew, a decision that has led to legal action and scrutiny from consumer authorities.
Game Preservation Matters: Why Classic Games Are Disappearing | TAGA significant portion of classic video games, estimated at 87% released before 2010, are no longer commercially available due to delisting and lack of preservation efforts. The US Copyright Office's denial of a petition for remote access for researchers highlights a systemic issue, with the industry lobbying group ESA actively opposing preservation. Organizations like the Video Game History Foundation and GOG are working to combat this cultural catastrophe, advocating for legal reform and offering DRM-free options.
'This Policy Doesn't Reflect How Games Actually Work Today': Stop Killing Games Gets Big Win, But the Fight Is Far from OverThe consumer movement Stop Killing Games has achieved a significant victory as the California State Assembly passed the 'Protect Our Games' act, which aims to prevent publishers from permanently disabling games by shutting down servers. The bill proposes requiring publishers to provide advance notice of server closures and ensure playable single-player modes indefinitely for commercially available titles. However, the Entertainment Software Association argues the proposal is not feasible and could hinder the development of new games and technology.
The Stop Killing Games movement hits another major milestone as a game preservation bill passes California State…The California State Assembly has passed the Protect Our Games Act (AB 1921), a bill aimed at improving game preservation. The legislation requires companies to provide 60 days' notice before shutting down online servers, offer ways for players to continue playing post-support, or issue refunds. This move by Stop Killing Games marks a significant milestone in the ongoing effort to ensure digital games remain accessible.
Stop Killing Games consumer protection bill passes floor vote in CaliforniaThe California State Assembly has passed the Protect Our Games Act (AB 1921), a bill aimed at protecting consumer rights and ensuring game preservation. The legislation, motivated by incidents like Ubisoft's shutdown of The Crew, would require publishers to provide offline access or refunds when server-dependent games are discontinued. The bill now moves to the California State Senate, facing opposition from industry groups like Video Games Europe and the ESA who argue it could increase development costs and stifle innovation.
Stop Killing Games-backed bill that'd bar publishers from switching off game servers without thinking of players passes California State Assembly voteA bill in California, backed by the Stop Killing Games campaign, has passed the State Assembly and is moving to the State Senate. The legislation would require publishers to offer refunds or playable offline versions of games when shutting down online servers. The Entertainment Software Association opposes the bill, while a similar EU petition is awaiting a response.- EU Politician Muddies Waters On “Stop Killing Games” With Rant On WokenessA European Union parliamentary debate on the "Stop Killing Games" movement, which advocates for publishers to keep games online after purchase, was sidetracked by Slovakian politician Milan Uhrik. Uhrik focused on "wokeness" and "aggressive monetization," citing Assassin's Creed Shadows as an example of forced political correctness. The discussion also touched upon Ubisoft's decision to shut down The Crew and the industry's perspective on games as a service.
Stop Killing Games Movement Hits European Parliament – And This Time, It’s Serious | Invision Game CommunityThe Stop Killing Games movement has brought the issue of digital ownership and game preservation to the European Parliament. The movement, led by Ross Scott, argues that when publishers shut down servers for games that require them to function, players effectively lose access to products they have purchased. A key example cited is Ubisoft's decision to make The Crew unplayable after server shutdown, highlighting a lack of clear regulation and a potential legal grey area that benefits publishers.
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.
- MMO Week in Review: Queen DevonaThis week's MMO news roundup covers updates for Guild Wars Reforged, layoffs at MechWarrior studio Piranha Games, and a potential acquisition of Epic Games by Disney. The article also touches on political discussions surrounding game shutdowns in Europe and new early access dates for Heroes of Might and Magic Olden Era.