EU won't mandate game preservation law, but will work on voluntary code of conduct

The European Commission has announced it will not pursue a mandatory law requiring video game companies to continue supporting online titles after they are removed from sale. Instead, the regulator will work with the games industry to develop a voluntary code of conduct covering how developers and publishers handle the sunsetting of games. This follows the "Stop Killing Games" grassroots initiative, which collected enough signatures last year for the issue to be brought before the Commission.

The Commission cited existing copyright and intellectual property laws as barriers to legislation. Its next steps include working with consumer organizations and authorities to raise awareness about applicable consumer rights, with a report due by the end of 2026.

The Stop Killing Games movement began in 2024 when Ubisoft shut down servers for the online driving game "The Crew" and even deleted it from players' libraries. This sparked debates about players' rights to access purchased games and broader discussions about ownership in the digital era. In California, a state law now requires clear communication about ending game support. Platforms like Steam have also adopted language clarifying that players purchase a license, not the game itself.