Video Games Europe gives scathing response to Stop Killing Games

by

The organization known as Video Games Europe, which comprises some of the largest global video game publishers, serves as a lobby to champion the interests of European video game developers. Yet, their reaction to the “Stop Killing Games” movement does not seem entirely aligned with the goals EU gamers are striving for.

1 Million Signatures Reached on “Stop Killing Games” Petition Surprisingly Gained Traction, Leading Video Games Europe to Respond, Being the Largest Video Game Advocacy Group within the European Union.

Despite the lobby’s board expressing gratitude for the enthusiasm of the community regarding preserving games, they effectively dismiss the ideas behind this initiative in other parts of their statement.

It’s suggested that if the requirements set by Stop Killing Games were turned into laws, game development could potentially become excessively costly.

Video Games Europe fights back against Stop Killing Games

Following the closure of games such as Anthem, leaving them unplayable forever, there remains a strong push among gamers for future titles to prioritize longevity and sustainability during their development process.

Stop Killing Games proposes that developers must provide options for games to operate without an internet connection, or offer versions that players can manage even after the game’s lifecycle has ended. Contrarily, Video Games Europe strongly opposes this concept.

Making the choice to end online services involves careful consideration and is not made lightly. Companies may need to consider this option if an online experience becomes financially unfeasible. We acknowledge that such a move might be frustrating for users, but when necessary, we guarantee that they will be informed in advance about any potential changes, adhering to local consumer protection regulations.

Using private servers for gaming isn’t always feasible because the security measures we implement to safeguard player data, filter out unlawful content, and manage unsafe community interactions wouldn’t be present. This could potentially expose rights holders to legal issues. Moreover, a significant number of games are engineered to operate online-exclusively; suggesting these alternatives would restrict developers’ creative freedom by making it excessively costly to develop such video games.

This perspective strongly mirrors that of Pirate Software, an individual who has openly criticized the Stop Killing Games movement and supports the stance of publishers and developers unwilling to shoulder additional costs.

By the way, it’s noteworthy to point out that the lobby of Video Games Europe is filled with representatives from prominent gaming publishers such as Ubisoft, Warner Bros. Games, Activision, Electronic Arts (EA), Microsoft, Square Enix, and others.

Publishers have closed down servers for several games under their brands, making these products unplayable and non-refundable, regardless of whether players had initially purchased them at full price. In the majority of instances, users are not given refunds for in-game transactions or the original purchase.

As an ardent supporter, I can affirm that Video Games Europe has unequivocally expressed their stance of standing against the concepts advocated by the Stop Killing Games movement.

Read More

2025-07-05 21:48