Video game industry pushes back as Stop Killing Games petition gains traction

The Stop Killing Games petition has surpassed one million signatures in the EU, meaning the movement may soon move towards next steps to getting new consumer protection laws in place targeting the video game market. As a result of this, a lobbying group backed by Ubisoft, Take-Two, WB, Riot Games, Activision Blizzard, Microsoft, and Nintendo, has spoken out against the petition.

Video Games Europe is a lobbying group backed by some of the biggest publishers across the industry. Its entire goal is to get involved with politics to ensure laws remain in line with industry interests. In a statement sent to press outlets like VGC, Video Games Europe makes it clear that it does not support the Stop Killing Games movement:

“We appreciate the passion of our community; however, the decision to discontinue online services is multi-faceted, never taken lightly and must be an option for companies when an online experience is no longer commercially viable. We understand that it can be disappointing for players but, when it does happen, the industry ensures that players are given fair notice of the prospective changes in compliance with local consumer protection laws”.

In response to those wanting the option for private servers, the group claims it is “not always a viable alternative option”, claiming that the lack of protections against illegal or unsafe content would leave the rights holder legally liable. In a response video published this afternoon, Ross, the creator of the Stop Killing Games petition, disputed the claim that rights holders would be legally liable for content found on privately hosted servers for an unsupported, End-of-Life game.

In his response video, Ross also disputes other portions of the Video Games Europe statement, reaffirming the stance that no developers will be forced to continue supporting their online games indefinitely, which the Video Games Europe statement seems to imply would be a problem if new game preservation laws were to go into effect.

The Stop Killing Games petition has reached its target number of signatures in the EU and UK, but more signatures are needed as there will inevitably be a number of signings that get discounted as being illegitimate.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: It doesn't surprise me that games industry executives don't want new laws that would impact the ways they currently do business. However, there is growing concern around the industry's continued efforts to erode the rights of video game buyers, so something needs to change. 

Become a Patron!