Tag: Stop Killing Games

UK Government Rejects Call to Protect Digital Game Ownership as ‘Stop Killing Games’ Push Escalates In a disappointing move for physical media enthusiasts and preservationists, the UK government has decided this week not to intervene in the increasingly high-profile Stop Killing Games campaign. The organization behind the global push to prevent publishers from permanently taking purchased games offline revealed the UK government’s decision, which was quietly published this week following a months-long review. The report confirms that no legislative changes are planned, a stance that’s already dividing both gamers and industry figures over the future of digital ownership. The Stop Killing Games petition, founded by Accursed Farms creator Ross Scott in 2024, captured public attention after Ubisoft delisted and shut down The Crew earlier this year, leaving players unable to access even the single-player version of a game they had paid for. The petition argued that when consumers buy a title, they should retain the right to play it indefinitely, even if online servers are discontinued. The initiative quickly surpassed the 100,000-signature threshold required for formal parliamentary debate, putting the UK government under pressure to clarify its position on consumer protection in the digital era. In its official response, the UK government said it had “no plans to amend UK consumer law on disabling video games,” arguing that existing frameworks such as the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 already ensure fair treatment for buyers. (While these laws protect against false advertising and faulty goods, they don't compel publishers to maintain servers or provide offline access once support ends.) The statement effectively confirmed what most legal experts suspected: in the UK, digital purchases are still considered licences, and not owned products. For game preservationists, that distinction is the heart of the problem. The inability to access a purchased game after servers are switched off — even for purely single-player experiences — raises questions about the longevity of digital culture itself. “This isn’t about piracy or entitlement,” Ross Scott said in a recent update to supporters. “It’s about preserving art, access, and the integrity of our purchases.” Critics argue that the government’s decision ignores a growing consumer rights issue that will only intensify as more titles move toward online-only infrastructure. Industry groups, however, have defended the government’s position. Video Games Europe (VGE), a trade body representing major publishers, said in a July statement that forcing companies to keep games playable indefinitely would impose “disproportionate obligations” and hinder innovation. Publishers also cite cybersecurity, maintenance costs and intellectual property concerns as reasons why permanent offline versions aren’t always feasible. Behind the scenes, several studios privately expressed relief that the UK avoided a legal precedent that could have ripple effects across global markets. Still, the debate isn’t going away. Across the continent, the European arm of the Stop Killing Games campaign has surpassed one million verified signatures on its European Citizens’ Initiative, a milestone that legally compels the European Commission to consider legislative action. Even some politicians appear sympathetic. French MEP David Cormand was quoted by GamesRadar last month as saying, “A game, once sold, belongs to the customer, not the company.” If the EU takes the lead, it could create a patchwork of regional rules that could put new pressure on the UK and other governments to follow suit. Consumer rights advocates say the real challenge now is accountability. While it’s unlikely that publishers will be forced to maintain servers forever, campaigners hope for compromises such as mandatory offline modes, source code releases, or the right to operate private servers once official support ends. Some studios, including Hello Games and Larian Studios, have already earned praise for designing titles that remain fully functional offline, proving that commercial success and preservation aren’t mutually exclusive. The wider implications reach far beyond games. As the entertainment industry shifts increasingly toward subscription-based and digital-only models, the meaning of ownership itself is changing. Losing access to a beloved title is one thing; the idea that an entire generation of games could vanish with no legal recourse is another. For many, the UK’s refusal to intervene represents a missed opportunity to future-proof cultural heritage against corporate shutdowns. For now, the government’s stance leaves British gamers with little protection beyond goodwill and market pressure. Whether the growing chorus of global dissent (from consumers, creators and preservationists alike) can shift that position remains to be seen. As Ross Scott warned in his campaign update, “If we don’t draw the line now, we may wake up one day to find we never really owned any of it at all.”

Tag: Stop Killing Games

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Tag: Stop Killing Games

Digital Game Ownership Back in the Spotlight Following Critical UK Decision This Week

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