On 16th June, 2026, the European Commission has responded to the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) “Stop Destroying Videogames” by deciding not to propose a law requiring publishers to keep video games playable after they stop supporting them.

While we welcome the Commission’s recognition that the issue deserves further attention, we believe that this response falls short of addressing the concerns raised by more than 1.29 million Europeans. As supporters of the Stop Killing Games movement, we remain convinced that consumers should not lose access to digital products they have purchased simply because a publisher decides to discontinue support for them. Consumers deserve stronger protections than those offered by a purely voluntary approach, including reasonable end-of-life measures that would allow games to remain functional after official services are terminated.

Rather than proposing legislation to address the concerns raised by the initiative, the Commission announced two follow-up measures.

First, it will initiate discussions with representatives of the video game industry and consumer organizations to develop a voluntary industry code of conduct on the management of video games at the end of their commercial life.

Second, it will work with consumer organizations and national authorities to raise awareness of existing consumer protections under EU law. The Commission also indicated that it will assess the implementation of the Directive on Digital Content and Digital Services later this year, noting that effective enforcement of current consumer rights could encourage providers to offer games with longer lifespans and better meet consumer expectations.

The Commission’s decision follows months of public debate, a formal hearing in the European Parliament, meetings between campaign organizers and Commission officials, and growing support for the campaign from Members of the European Parliament across multiple political groups.

The European Commission’s decision affects more than just the gaming industry. It has sparked a wider debate about digital ownership, consumer rights, preservation, and the extent of companies’ control over taking back products after they are sold.

It has become abundantly clear that as digital marketplaces grow rapidly, consumers need much stronger protections when buying products that rely on company-run systems than those currently in place.

While the Commission has chosen not to pursue legislation at this stage, the concerns raised by the Stop Killing Games movement remain unresolved. We will therefore continue to pursue other avenues to secure meaningful protections for consumers. With the Digital Fairness Act set to be debated in the European Parliament after the summer, the upcoming legislative process will provide an important opportunity to address the issues highlighted by more than 1.29 million Europeans and advance solutions that ensure consumers retain rights over the digital products they purchase.

​

europeanpirates.eu/5159-2/