EU Petition Calls for Halt to Video Game Piracy

A European Union petition demanding publishers maintain the playability of online games after server shutdowns is gaining traction. With over 39% of its one million signature goal already achieved, the initiative is making significant progress.

European Gamers Unite

Nearly 400,000 Signatures Secured

The "Stop Destroying Video Games" petition has surpassed its signature threshold in seven EU nations: Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Poland, and Sweden. The impressive total currently stands at 397,943 signatures—a substantial 39% of the one million target.

Launched in June, this petition addresses the growing concern of unplayable games after publisher support ends. It advocates for legislation requiring publishers to ensure continued functionality of online games, even after official closure.

As the petition states, publishers should be legally obligated to maintain the playable state of games sold within the EU, preventing the remote disabling of games without providing reasonable alternatives for continued play.

The petition cites the shutdown of Ubisoft's The Crew in March 2024 as a prime example. Despite a substantial player base (over 12 million worldwide), server closures rendered the game unplayable, sparking outrage among players and even leading to lawsuits in California.

The petition remains open until July 31st, 2025, and EU citizens of voting age are encouraged to participate. While non-EU residents can't sign, they can help by spreading awareness.