The Stop Killing Games movement has sparked a global conversation about video game preservation, driven by gamers who refuse to let their favorite titles vanish. Launched in April 2024 by YouTuber Ross Scott of Accursed Farms, this consumer-led campaign challenges publishers who render games unplayable by shutting down servers. With recent developments showing both progress and hurdles, the initiative is at a critical juncture as deadlines loom and debates intensify. Here’s the latest on this fight to keep video games alive for future generations.
The Heart of Stop Killing Games
Ross Scott started Stop Killing Games after Ubisoft shut down The Crew, a racing game with a 12-million-strong player base, in March 2024. The closure left the game unplayable, highlighting a growing issue: publishers designing games to become obsolete once support ends. Scott argues this practice is akin to planned obsolescence, stripping consumers of their purchases and erasing cultural artifacts. The campaign pushes for laws requiring publishers to ensure games remain playable, such as through offline modes or private server options.
Recent updates show the movement gaining traction but facing challenges. By June 2025, the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI), a key part of the campaign, had collected only 47% of the required signatures, with a deadline of July 3, 2025. A UK petition, relaunched after an unsatisfactory government response in 2024, faces a July 14 deadline. Scott has expressed frustration, noting the difficulty of rallying support despite widespread gamer outrage.
Key Point Summary
- Core Goal: Stop Killing Games seeks laws to prevent publishers from making games unplayable after support ends.
- Trigger Event: Ubisoft’s shutdown of The Crew in March 2024 sparked the campaign.
- Current Status: The ECI needs more signatures by July 3, 2025; the UK petition runs until July 14.
- Challenges: Resistance from some industry voices and slow signature growth threaten progress.
- Supporters: Gamers, indie studios like Running With Scissors, and YouTubers back the cause.
Resistance and Controversy in Stop Killing Games
Not everyone supports Stop Killing Games. In 2024, Twitch streamer and developer Jason Thor Hall, known as Pirate Software, criticized the initiative as vague and potentially harmful to developers. Hall argued that requiring end-of-life patches could burden smaller studios and that the campaign’s goals lack clarity. Scott responded in a June 2025 video, accusing Hall of misrepresenting the movement, claiming his critique slowed signature momentum. This feud has divided gamers, with some siding with Scott’s preservation focus and others agreeing with Hall’s concerns about feasibility.
Despite the controversy, supporters like YouTubers Shane Luis and Mutahar Anas have amplified the campaign’s message. Indie studio Running With Scissors, creators of Postal, also endorsed it, emphasizing the need to protect consumer rights. The debate underscores a broader tension: balancing gamer ownership with the practicalities of game development.
Survey Reveals Alarming Trends
A volunteer-led survey by Stop Killing Games, released in May 2025, analyzed 738 games with online requirements. The findings were stark: 70% are either unplayable or at risk of becoming so without publisher intervention. Only 16 games were preserved by developers, while 110 survived thanks to fan efforts. This data fuels the campaign’s urgency, showing how many titles vanish when servers shut down. Plans for a wiki to track these “dead games” are underway, aiming to document and preserve at-risk titles.
| Category | Number of Games | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Dead Games | 299 | No longer playable |
| At Risk | 313 | Likely to become unplayable |
| Preserved by Fans | 110 | Saved via fan-made patches |
| Preserved by Developers | 16 | Officially supported offline |
The Road Ahead for Stop Killing Games
With deadlines approaching, the campaign’s future hangs in the balance. Scott has admitted the ECI may fail to meet its signature goal, but he remains determined. If unsuccessful, he plans to step back, citing the personal toll of leading the effort. Yet, the movement has already sparked global discussions, with petitions in Australia, France, and Germany gaining attention. The UK government’s 2024 response, which stated publishers can legally make games unplayable, has only fueled resolve to push for clearer laws.
Ubisoft’s announcement of offline modes for The Crew 2 and The Crew Motorfest in September 2024 offers a glimmer of hope, though updates on implementation are scarce. Such moves suggest publishers may feel pressure from Stop Killing Games, but broader change requires legislative action. Gamers are urged to sign petitions and spread awareness to keep the momentum alive.
Why It Matters
The Stop Killing Games movement isn’t just about saving games—it’s about consumer rights and cultural preservation. Video games, like films or books, hold artistic and historical value. When publishers pull the plug, they erase experiences that millions have invested time and money into. The campaign’s push for accountability could reshape how the industry treats its products and players. As Scott puts it, “If you don’t like having things you own destroyed, sign this.”
Act now: Visit stopkillinggames.com to sign the European Citizens’ Initiative or UK petition before the deadlines. Share the campaign on social media to rally more gamers. Your voice can help ensure future generations can play the games we love today.