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===European Citizens' Initiative===
===European Citizens' Initiative===
On 19 June 2024, "Stop Destroying Videogames" was registered as a European Citizens' Initiative by Daniel Ondruska.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ondruska |first=Daniel |date=19 Jun 2024 |title=Stop Destroying Videogames |url=https://citizens-initiative.europa.eu/initiatives/details/2024/000007_en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240619131907/https://citizens-initiative.europa.eu/initiatives/details/2024/000007_en |archive-date=19 Jun 2024 |access-date=10 Nov 2025 |website=European Citizens' Initiative}}</ref> A month and a half later, on 31 July 2024, the initiative began collecting signatures. Accursed Farms posted the video "Europeans can save gaming!" later the same day, encouraging European citizens to sign the initiative.<ref>{{Cite web |author=@Accursed_Farms |date=31 Jul 2024 |title=Europeans can save gaming! |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkMe9MxxZiI |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=mkMe9MxxZiI |archive-date=31 Jul 2024 |access-date=10 Nov 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>
On 19 June 2024, "'''Stop Destroying Videogames'''" was registered as a '''European Citizens' Initiative''' by Daniel Ondruska.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ondruska |first=Daniel |date=19 Jun 2024 |title=Stop Destroying Videogames |url=https://citizens-initiative.europa.eu/initiatives/details/2024/000007_en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240619131907/https://citizens-initiative.europa.eu/initiatives/details/2024/000007_en |archive-date=19 Jun 2024 |access-date=10 Nov 2025 |website=European Citizens' Initiative}}</ref> A month and a half later, on 31 July 2024, the initiative began collecting signatures.
 
About a week later, Thor of Pirate Software published a video covering SKG, with the intent to negatively criticize SKG.<ref>{{Cite web |author=@PirateSoftware |date=6 Aug 2024 |title=Stop Killing Games |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioqSvLqB46Y |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=ioqSvLqB46Y |archive-date=6 Aug 2024 |access-date=10 Nov 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> Ross from Accursed Farms attempted to contact Thor about having false assumptions of the campaign's objectives. Ross cited Pirate Software's video as the primary cause for signatures drying up on the European Citizens' Initiative petition. Ross stated that they did not initially make a response video directed at Thor, because "it might look like drama farming" for the campaign, but when the deadline started drawing near, Ross went through with making a response on 23 June 2025, as a last-ditch effort to save the campaign.<ref>{{Cite web |author=@Accursed_Farms |date=23 Jun 2025 |title=The end of Stop Killing Games |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIfRLujXtUo |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=HIfRLujXtUo |archive-date=23 Jun 2025 |access-date=10 Nov 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>


For a European citizens' initiative to be valid, it must obtain at least one million valid signatures and meet the minimum thresholds in at least seven European Union countries. The deadline of the initiative was on 31 July 2025. By 25 June 2025, it had reached over 500,000 signatures, and finally met its goal of 1,000,000 on 3 July 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stop Destroying Videogames |url=https://eci.ec.europa.eu/045/public/#/screen/home |website=European Union Online Collection System |date= |access-date=10 Nov 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250703072953/https://eci.ec.europa.eu/045/public/#/screen/home |archive-date=3 Jul 2025}}</ref>
For a European citizens' initiative to be valid, it must obtain at least one million valid signatures and meet the minimum thresholds in at least seven European Union countries. The deadline of the initiative was on 31 July 2025. By 25 June 2025, it had reached over 500,000 signatures, and finally met its goal of 1,000,000 on 3 July 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stop Destroying Videogames |url=https://eci.ec.europa.eu/045/public/#/screen/home |website=European Union Online Collection System |date= |access-date=10 Nov 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250703072953/https://eci.ec.europa.eu/045/public/#/screen/home |archive-date=3 Jul 2025}}</ref>


The collection of signatures ended 1 August 2025, with a total of 1,448,270 and 24 out of 27 state members crossing the minimum thresholds. In the following three months, the signatures will be verified and validated by all state members.
The collection of signatures ended 1 August 2025, with a total of 1,448,270 and 24 out of 27 state members crossing the minimum thresholds. In the following three months, the signatures were to be verified and validated by all state members. In an announcement from the initiative campaigners on 24 January 2026, the final count of verified signatures was 1,294,188.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Mr_Presidentle |title=Stop Killing Games: Final Count of Verified Signatures of the European Citizens Initiative |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/StopKillingGames/comments/1qluxts/stop_killing_games_final_count_of_verified/ |website=[[Reddit]] |date=24 Jan 2026 |access-date=25 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260126002806/https://old.reddit.com/r/StopKillingGames/comments/1qluxts/stop_killing_games_final_count_of_verified/ |archive-date=26 Jan 2026}}</ref>
 
In an announcement from the initiative campaigners on 24 January 2026, the final count of verified signatures was 1,294,188.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Mr_Presidentle |title=Stop Killing Games: Final Count of Verified Signatures of the European Citizens Initiative |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/StopKillingGames/comments/1qluxts/stop_killing_games_final_count_of_verified/ |website=[[Reddit]] |date=24 Jan 2026 |access-date=25 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260126002806/https://old.reddit.com/r/StopKillingGames/comments/1qluxts/stop_killing_games_final_count_of_verified/ |archive-date=26 Jan 2026}}</ref>
 
===Protect Our Games Act===
Introduced on 12 February 2026, the California Assembly Bill 1921 is a proposed California law introduced by Chris Ward that aims to establish consumer protections for purchases of video games with functionalities that depends on online services.
The bill, also named [[Protect Our Games Act]] or Pog Act, would be added to the California Business and Professions Code and would apply to digital games that are made available for purchase starting from 1st January 2027.
 
<big>Definitions</big>
 
* Video games are defined as any digital game accessed through any gaming device, computer, mobile device or similar hardware capable of running the game and includes any extra downloadable content [[DLC]]s or add-ons.
* The bill defines a game studio developer, publisher or entity controlling the purchasers as "operator". The operator has control over authentication systems, [[DRM]]s, server access, updates, etc.
* The bill defines the "ordinary use" as the ability to use the game's core features with reasonable consumer expectations at the time of purchase.
 
<big>Consumer notice requirements</big>
 
At least 60 days before ending service, the operator would be required to:
* Notify purchasers directly through the game.
* Post a public notice on the operator website.
 
The notice has to include:
* Shutdown date.
* The services that are being terminated.
* The features that will become unavailable.
* The security risks that are associated with the shutdown.
* Information for the players on how they may continue using the game or obtain a refund.
 
<big>Post shutdown obligations</big>
 
On the date of the shutdown, the publisher would be requires to provide one of the following:
* A version of the game playable without operator-controlled services.
* A patch or update for continued independent use without the operator.
* A full refund equal to the game's purchase price.
* The operator is prohibited from continuing to distribute versions of the game that cannot function independently.


<big>Exceptions</big>
====Social media coverage====
Accursed Farms posted the video "Europeans can save gaming!" later the same day, encouraging European citizens to sign the initiative.<ref>{{Cite web |author=@Accursed_Farms |date=31 Jul 2024 |title=Europeans can save gaming! |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkMe9MxxZiI |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=mkMe9MxxZiI |archive-date=31 Jul 2024 |access-date=10 Nov 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> About a week later, Thor of Pirate Software published a video covering SKG, with the intent to negatively criticize SKG.<ref>{{Cite web |author=@PirateSoftware |date=6 Aug 2024 |title=Stop Killing Games |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioqSvLqB46Y |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=ioqSvLqB46Y |archive-date=6 Aug 2024 |access-date=10 Nov 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> Ross from Accursed Farms attempted to contact Thor about having false assumptions of the campaign's objectives. Ross cited Pirate Software's video as the primary cause for signatures drying up on the European Citizens' Initiative petition. Ross stated that they did not initially make a response video directed at Thor, because "it might look like drama farming" for the campaign, but when the deadline started drawing near, Ross went through with making a response on 23 June 2025, as a last-ditch effort to save the campaign.<ref>{{Cite web |author=@Accursed_Farms |date=23 Jun 2025 |title=The end of Stop Killing Games |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIfRLujXtUo |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=HIfRLujXtUo |archive-date=23 Jun 2025 |access-date=10 Nov 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>


The legislation would not apply to:
====European Union response====
* Subscription based games where your game access has a clearly defined expiring date tied to your subscription period.
On 19 May 2026 the European Economic and Social Committee had a debate about the Stop Destroying Videogames ECI to which Stop Killing Games has been invited to participate.<ref>{{Cite_web |author=Stop Killing Games |date=19 May 2026 |title=EESC debate about Stop Destroying Videogames ECI |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiAJg7nmkOQ |url-status=live |website=YouTube</ref>
* Free to play games without monetary involvements.
* Games that are permanently downloadable for offline use and without revocable access.


<big>Votes</big>
===California's Protect Our Games Act===
{{Excerpt|Protect Our Games Act}}


On 14 May 2026 the bill passed with 11 Ayes, 2 Noes and 2 Absent votes.
==Industry push back==
 
===Industry push back===
On 4 July 2025, one day after the campaign reached 1,000,000 signatures, [[Video Games Europe]], an industry lobby group, released an statement on Stop Killing Games<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=Statement on Stop Killing Games |url=https://www.videogameseurope.eu/news/statement-on-stop-killing-games/ |website=Videogames Europe |date=4 Jul 2025 |access-date=10 Nov 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250704203228/https://www.videogameseurope.eu/news/statement-on-stop-killing-games/ |archive-date=4 Jul 2025}}</ref> on their website and published a five-page position paper<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=Why providing continued support do not work for all games |url=https://www.videogameseurope.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/VGE-Position-Discontinuation-of-Support-to-Online-Games-04072025.pdf |website=Videogames Europe |date=4 Jul 2025 |access-date=9 Jul 2025 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250704232256/https://www.videogameseurope.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/VGE-Position-Discontinuation-of-Support-to-Online-Games-04072025.pdf |archive-date=4 Jul 2025}}</ref> against the campaign where it outlined perceived problems seen by the industry even though some of those perceived problems were already clarified by the lengthy FAQ section provided by the campaign.
On 4 July 2025, one day after the campaign reached 1,000,000 signatures, [[Video Games Europe]], an industry lobby group, released an statement on Stop Killing Games<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=Statement on Stop Killing Games |url=https://www.videogameseurope.eu/news/statement-on-stop-killing-games/ |website=Videogames Europe |date=4 Jul 2025 |access-date=10 Nov 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250704203228/https://www.videogameseurope.eu/news/statement-on-stop-killing-games/ |archive-date=4 Jul 2025}}</ref> on their website and published a five-page position paper<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=Why providing continued support do not work for all games |url=https://www.videogameseurope.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/VGE-Position-Discontinuation-of-Support-to-Online-Games-04072025.pdf |website=Videogames Europe |date=4 Jul 2025 |access-date=9 Jul 2025 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250704232256/https://www.videogameseurope.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/VGE-Position-Discontinuation-of-Support-to-Online-Games-04072025.pdf |archive-date=4 Jul 2025}}</ref> against the campaign where it outlined perceived problems seen by the industry even though some of those perceived problems were already clarified by the lengthy FAQ section provided by the campaign.


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On 16 April 2026, members of the Stop Killing Games movement had a public hearing with the European Parliament Commission.<ref>{{Cite web |author= European Parliament |title= Stop destroying video games |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSla5vfGi3A |website=YouTube |date=16 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |format=Video}}</ref>
On 16 April 2026, members of the Stop Killing Games movement had a public hearing with the European Parliament Commission.<ref>{{Cite web |author= European Parliament |title= Stop destroying video games |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSla5vfGi3A |website=YouTube |date=16 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |format=Video}}</ref>


On an undisclosed date, the [[Entertainment Software Association]] [ESA] filed a comment against the [[Protect Our Games Act]]<ref>{{Cite_web |author=Stop Killing Games |title=The Industry is lobbying against Stop Killing Games! (again) |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/StopKillingGames/comments/1t9ne7c/the_industry_is_lobbying_against_stop_killing/ |website=Reddit |date=11 May 2026 |url-status=live }}</ref>. The POG Act, referred as CA AB1921, is a California Assembly bill text to regulate games as part of the California legislature. Despite the attempt of push-back from the industry, the bill passed on 14 May 2026.
On an undisclosed date, the [[Entertainment Software Association]] (ESA) filed a comment against the Protect Our Games Act.<ref>{{Cite_web |author=Stop Killing Games |date=11 May 2026 |title=The Industry is lobbying against Stop Killing Games! (again) |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/StopKillingGames/comments/1t9ne7c/the_industry_is_lobbying_against_stop_killing/ |url-status=live |website=Reddit}}</ref> Despite the push-back, the bill passed on 14 May 2026.


==Video game preservation==
==Video game preservation==
{{Main|Video game preservation}}
{{Main|Video game preservation}}


There are also efforts to restore older games, or to allow the gaming community to have access to the source code of the games themselves. In 2025, there were several developments by major publishers, such as [[Valve]] and [[EA]]. Valve released the source code of {{Wplink|Team Fortress 2}} in February.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 Feb 2025 |title=The TF2 SDK has arrived! |url=https://www.teamfortress.com/post.php?id=238809 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250218201538/https://www.teamfortress.com/post.php?id=238809 |archive-date=18 Feb 2025 |access-date=10 Mar 2025 |website=Team Fortress}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=21 Feb 2025 |title=Valve Releases Team Fortress 2 Source Code, Now open to Modders |url=https://bitskins.com/blog/valve-releases-team-fortress-2-source-code-now-open-to-modders/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250310111654/https://bitskins.com/blog/valve-releases-team-fortress-2-source-code-now-open-to-modders/ |archive-date=10 Mar 2025 |access-date=10 Mar 2025 |website=BitSkins}}</ref> EA released the source code of [[EA releases source code of classic command and conquer titles|classic command and conquer titles]], also in February 2025.
There are also efforts to restore older games, or to allow the gaming community to have access to the source code of the games themselves. In 2025, there were several developments by major publishers, such as [[Valve]] and [[EA]]. Valve released the source code of {{Wplink|Team Fortress 2}} in February.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 Feb 2025 |title=The TF2 SDK has arrived! |url=https://www.teamfortress.com/post.php?id=238809 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250218201538/https://www.teamfortress.com/post.php?id=238809 |archive-date=18 Feb 2025 |access-date=10 Mar 2025 |website=Team Fortress}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=21 Feb 2025 |title=Valve Releases Team Fortress 2 Source Code, Now open to Modders |url=https://bitskins.com/blog/valve-releases-team-fortress-2-source-code-now-open-to-modders/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250310111654/https://bitskins.com/blog/valve-releases-team-fortress-2-source-code-now-open-to-modders/ |archive-date=10 Mar 2025 |access-date=10 Mar 2025 |website=BitSkins}}</ref> EA released the source code of [[EA releases source code of classic command and conquer titles|classic command and conquer titles]], also in February 2025.
 
==See Also==
==See Also==
*[https://stopkillinggames.wiki.gg/ Stop Killing Games Wiki]
*[https://stopkillinggames.wiki.gg/wiki/Dead_game_list Dead game list]
*[[:Category:Video games]]
===Video game stores===
*[[GOG.com]]
*[[GOG.com]]
*[[Steam]]
*[[Steam]]
*[[Itch.io]]
*[[Xbox]]
===Video game publishers===
*[[Valve]]
*[[Valve]]
*[[EA]]
*[[Electronic Arts]]
*[[Activision Blizzard]]
*[[Activision Blizzard]]
*[[Sony]]
*[[Ubisoft]]
*[[Microsoft]]


==References==
==References==
Retrieved from "https://consumerrights.wiki/w/Stop_Killing_Games"