Video Games Europe doubles down on stance against Stop Killing Games

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Video Games Europe has published an extended five-page report, further reinforcing their opposition towards the “Stop Killing Games” movement, adding more detail to their earlier statement issued just a few days ago.

The “Stop Killing Games” initiative is a consumer-led effort geared towards ensuring that online video games remain playable even when official developer support ceases.

Back in April 2024, a gaming enthusiast named Accursed Farms unveiled an innovative concept on YouTube. This movement, which has now gained significant traction, aims to ensure the longevity of our beloved online games. With enough support gathered, we’ve surpassed the required threshold for the European Citizens’ Initiative petition. This means that laws could potentially be enacted to safeguard these digital worlds from fading away.

On the contrary, the Video Games Europe, a trade group based in Brussels representing the European video game sector, has expressed their opposition to the campaign titled “Stop Killing Games.

Video Games Europe continues to oppose Stop Killing Games

On July 7th, VGE posted a brief declaration on their website stating that private servers may not always be a practical substitute for players and could expose rights holders to liability. They further contended that the proposals put forth by Stop Killing Games would limit developer freedom by making these video games excessively costly to produce.

As a passionate gamer myself, I’m expressing my views on behalf of the European video game industry’s leading advocacy group. We’re voicing our concerns against the Stop Killing Games initiative, as it could significantly increase the costs for game developers like EA, Ubisoft, Activision, and many others with whom I share a common passion. The potential financial burden could potentially hinder the creation of new, exciting games for us all to enjoy.

— TopMob (@TopMob) July 5, 2025

On July 10th, VGE provided further insight into their opposition towards the movement, publishing a detailed five-page document explaining their rationale.

Notably, the document stated that gamers buy a permit to play online games, rather than acquiring the game as a tangible item.

As a gaming enthusiast, I don’t personally own the copyright to the video games I play. The robust protection of intellectual property rights, which form the backbone of this market, has fueled the substantial investments that have sustained the industry for decades. There’s no legal ambiguity about the current state of video games.

VGE pointed out that permitting private servers might expose players to unregulated content and potential harm to intellectual properties. Furthermore, they emphasized that such an action could have a detrimental effect on the industry by stifling innovation and creativity.

Implementing these requirements might result in reduced risk-taking, a decrease in the number of new game development projects, and possibly fewer job opportunities. In the long run, this could mean higher prices for consumers and less variety.

The organization explained the conditions of consumer protection regulations in the EU, highlighting that businesses must provide “a reasonable advance notice before terminating access rights” to a game they’ve purchased. Additionally, EU laws stipulate that online gaming services should be available for a “fair duration,” considering all pertinent factors. Imposing a specific timeframe could be unfair as it would have to apply across all types of services, not just games.

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In their paper opposing the Stop Killing Games initiative, the Video Game Executives (VGE) concluded by declaring their dedication and active support for genuine, professional endeavors aimed at preserving video games and acknowledging the industry’s creative achievements. However, they specified that this commitment is contingent upon circumstances that do not infringe upon the rights of game companies under copyright law.

Based on their earlier statement, this recent letter has not been received positively by the wider gaming community. Numerous gamers have voiced their disagreement on social media platforms, with one individual stating on X: “They seem to be under the impression that private servers are non-existent for any game. Dude, World of Warcraft has private servers boasting thousands of players. The idea that they would prioritize player safety in servers they don’t even manage is laughable.

For users and customers, none of these issues pose any problems at all. Businesses aiming to avoid the emergence of private servers similar to these must ensure their games remain operational indefinitely.

— Professor HeyTeeEn (@SilverCyanide2) July 10, 2025

These issues don’t bother players or customers at all, someone noted. To stop the creation of private servers such as these, businesses should ensure their games remain operational indefinitely.

The anti-violent video game campaign, “Stop Killing Games,” persists and is now under review by the European Commission, having garnered a significant 1.3 million signatures. However, Accursed Farms cautioned that some of these signatures might be false, potentially created by petitioners outside the EU. They urged supporters to keep signing even though the goal has already been met.

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2025-07-11 01:19