Stop Killing Games: Over 1.4 Million Signatures Await EU Decision

by Sophie Laurent September 16, 2025

written by Sophie Laurent September 16, 2025

Key Takeaways

Created with AI - we're still experimenting, so apologies if it misses the mark

Over one million EU citizens have signed a petition, Stop Killing Games, asking for game publishers to prioritize long-term playability of their titles, reducing reliance on continuous online support and updates.
The European Commission must issue a public response if at least one million valid signatures are confirmed from seven or more member countries.
Verification of the signatures is currently underway, potentially lasting weeks or months, with discussions planned with political stakeholders and addressing potential misinformation.
Criticism has been raised about the initiatives funding, but organizers assert that as a volunteer-run effort, financial disclosure is not required. Game industry groups have also expressed doubts regarding the proposals. The Commission will have six months to respond if the necessary threshold of valid signatures is met, potentially leading to new legislation.

EU Citizens Petition for Game Sustainability Awaits Verification and Commission Response

More than one million people have signed the “Stop Killing Games” European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI). Officials are currently verifying these signatures. If at least one million valid signatures are confirmed from seven or more member countries, the European Commission must issue a public response to the proposal. The initiative proposes that game publishers plan for the long-term playability of their titles, reducing their reliance on continuous online support and updates. Organizers state that signature verification by individual countries is underway, potentially lasting weeks or months. They are also preparing for discussions with political stakeholders and for addressing any potential misinformation. The initiative has encountered criticism, including an anonymous query regarding its funding. However, organizers assert that, as a volunteer-run effort, financial disclosure is not required. Furthermore, game industry groups have voiced doubts regarding the proposals. Should the necessary threshold of valid signatures be met, the Commission will have six months to issue a public response, indicating whether it intends to propose new legislation and outlining a potential timeline. Conversely, if the required number of valid signatures is not achieved, the initiative will not progress further.

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