A new legislative proposal introduced in Brazil’s lower house aims to prevent video games from becoming permanently inaccessible when publishers shut down mandatory online servers, drawing direct inspiration from the international “Stop Killing Games” movement.
The bill, PL No. 3,612/2026, was filed by federal deputy Jandira Feghali (PCdoB-RJ) and would require game companies to offer concrete alternatives before discontinuing server infrastructure that players rely on to access titles they have purchased.
How the Bill Would “Save” Games
Modeled after advocacy efforts in the United States and Europe — particularly the campaign that highlighted the fate of titles like The Crew, which became unplayable even for physical copy owners after server shutdowns — the Brazilian proposal mandates that publishers choose one of three options when planning to deactivate a game’s servers:
- Release a free offline update that allows the game to be played without online services.
- Provide free tools enabling the community to set up and maintain its own servers.
- Offer a full refund to affected consumers.
Any server shutdown would need to be announced 180 days in advance. The obligations, however, do not apply to free-to-play titles, subscription-based games, or titles that already offer offline functionality from launch.
The bill also sets a minimum two-year support window for games sold in Brazil, counted from the start of commercialization in the national market. Failure to comply could trigger fines of up to R$ 500,000 (roughly US$ 90,000) or 1% of the game’s revenue in the country, whichever is greater.
Expanding Consumer Protection
A key component of PL 3.612/2026 is its proposed amendment to Brazil’s Consumer Defense Code (CDC). The text would explicitly classify as abusive the following practices:
- Interrupting services essential to a game’s operation.
- Concealing information about a title’s reliance on servers or online infrastructure.
- Including contract clauses that allow the publisher to destroy, block, or render a game unusable.
The bill also mandates clear labeling about server dependency, offline mode availability, and the minimum support period. These disclosures would be required on physical packaging, digital storefront pages, and terms-of-service agreements.
Community Servers and Funding Limits
Recognizing the role of fan-run infrastructure, the proposal allows community-operated servers to charge users for access to cover maintenance costs — but caps total revenue at 200 minimum wages (approximately R$ 344,000, or US$ 62,000). Individual operators would be prohibited from earning more than three minimum wages per month from these servers.
Preservation and Cultural Heritage
The bill assigns responsibility for game preservation policies to federal institutions including the Instituto do Patrimônio Histórico e Artístico Nacional (Iphan), the Fundação Biblioteca Nacional, and other relevant agencies. These bodies would be tasked with developing initiatives to support the industry and safeguard games as part of Brazil’s cultural heritage.
Sony PlayStation Context
The proposal arrives amid global debate sparked by Sony’s recent announcements regarding the PlayStation platform. The company revealed plans to phase out physical media production by 2028 and floated the possibility of deleting inactive accounts after three years — a move that could erase access to purchased digital games.
While PL 3.612/2026 does not directly address physical media, it would strengthen consumer protections in cases where publishers attempt to disable access to purchased games through account deletions or service terminations. The bill’s language explicitly prohibits contract clauses that allow the “destruction, blocking, or rendering unusable” of a game without consumer compensation.
However, current PlayStation terms of service in Brazil do not include provisions for account deactivation, according to the bill’s justification. The legislation would also not force companies to continue offering physical discs, but would increase transparency and support obligations for any title sold in the country.
What’s Next — and What’s Missing
The bill is still in its early stages and faces a lengthy legislative process before it could become law. Industry stakeholders, including publishers and digital storefronts, are expected to weigh in as the debate unfolds.
Critics may argue that the requirements could impose technical and financial burdens on smaller studios, while supporters say the measure is necessary to protect consumers’ rights in an increasingly digital and service-dependent gaming landscape.
As Brazil positions itself at the forefront of video game consumer protection in Latin America, the outcome of PL 3.612/2026 could set a precedent for how governments balance innovation, corporate control, and cultural preservation in the digital age.
Source: Tecnoblog
