In the United Kingdom (UK), the “Stop Killing Games” petition, which aims to ban video game publishers from permanently disabling the games they sell, has been brought to Parliament with over one hundred thousand signatures. This initiative is a significant step in raising awareness about video game consumer rights.

How was Stop Killing Games brought to Parliament?

The petition began in response to the practice of shutting down game servers, specifically through “end of service” orders, completely cutting off players’ access to their purchased products. Consumers consider this practice of games becoming inoperable at an unspecified date at the time of sale to be “planned obsolescence.” Therefore, they felt that existing laws did not address the issue and demanded government intervention.

Following the petition’s debate in Parliament, the UK government issued its official response. The government stated that it did not plan to make any changes to existing consumer laws regarding the lifespan of digital content. However, it added that it was aware of user concerns regarding the functionality of digital content and would continue to monitor the issue closely.

The government states that current consumer rights laws cover requirements regarding the quality of products sold. If digital content (including games) fails to meet these quality standards, the consumer maintains the right to a repair, replacement, or refund. However, supporters of the “Stop Killing Games” movement believe that server shutdowns eliminate the possibility of repair or replacement, and that existing laws are inadequate to address this specific issue.

So, what are your thoughts on game publishers shutting down legacy game servers? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!