The authors of the Stop Killing Games initiative, aimed at preventing the deactivation of games purchased by gamers, were unable to secure support from the European Commission. The agency officially stated that "at this stage," it cannot intervene and amend EU legislation.
As explained by the European Commission, to some extent, the Stop Killing Games initiative is hindered by copyright law. The fact is that gaming companies hold exclusive rights to their projects: they alone decide when to withdraw them from sale and whether to shut down servers. Therefore, they cannot simply be required to maintain access to games indefinitely.
Moreover, the European Commission believes that EU laws already adequately protect consumer rights. For instance, platforms and retailers are obligated to inform gamers about the terms and conditions of the contract that is concluded when purchasing games, and gamers themselves have the opportunity to request a refund if they are dissatisfied with the titles.
Nonetheless, the European Commission has promised to take a couple of steps to "alleviate gamer concerns":
- Firstly, the European Commission intends to develop a special code for companies explaining how to best end the lifecycle of games. To do this, the agency will first consult with developers and gamers.
- Secondly, the European Commission plans to launch a campaign to raise awareness among gamers about their existing rights.
In response to the European Commission's statement, the authors of Stop Killing Games admitted that they were prepared for such an outcome, but they do not plan to give up. They are currently working on an amendment to the European Digital Fairness Act.