As of April 2026, the “Stop Killing Games” (SKG) movement—originally launched in 2024 by Ross Scott—has evolved from a grassroots consumer protection campaign into a global force, with major legislative and political developments in both the United States and the European Union.
European Parliament Responds to Record-Breaking Petition
Across the Atlantic, the “Stop Killing Games” European Citizens’ Initiative has surpassed 1.29 million validated signatures—well over the one million threshold required for the European Commission to formally respond. As a result, the Commission must now issue an official reply by July 27, 2026, outlining whether it will propose legislation to prevent publishers from remotely disabling games that consumers have purchased.
A public hearing was held in the European Parliament on April 16, 2026, where SKG representatives presented their case to lawmakers. The hearing was widely viewed as a success, with many members of the European Parliament expressing strong support for the initiative and acknowledging the legitimacy of consumer concerns.
California’s “Protect Our Games Act” Advances
In the U.S., SKG has been actively involved in drafting California’s “Protect Our Games Act,” which is currently under consideration. The bill, supported by Assemblymember Chris Ward, would require video game publishers to notify consumers before ending support for server-connected games. Companies would then be obligated to either:
- Provide a replacement game at no extra cost, or
- Release a clear “end of life” plan, ensuring players can continue to run the game in some functional state after official support ends.
This legislation aims to prevent games from vanishing from players’ digital libraries when servers are shut down or licensing agreements expire. The bill also seeks to mandate refunds if no viable solution can be provided, a move that has drawn strong support from gamers and some lawmakers.
Why This Matters
The SKG movement argues that when consumers “buy” a digital game, they should be able to keep it—just like a physical book or DVD. The current model, where publishers can unilaterally remove access to purchased games, is described as “unacceptable” and “akin to a scam.” The movement’s proposals are designed to be practical, allowing companies to maintain their business models while ensuring consumers retain access to the products they paid for.
Recent high-profile examples, such as the shutdown of Ubisoft’s The Crew and EA’s Anthem, have galvanized public support. Both games were rendered unplayable even in single-player modes, despite being sold as “owned” products.
What’s Next?
With momentum building, SKG is now advising not only California lawmakers but also the UK’s Department for Culture, Media & Sport. The movement’s leaders, including Ross Scott and Morates Katzmer, are optimistic that the combination of legislative pressure and public awareness will force the industry to adopt more consumer-friendly practices.
While the road ahead is long, the message is clear: gamers are no longer willing to accept the loss of digital purchases, and the legal and political systems are starting to listen.
Source: GamingTrend, European Commission, StopKillingGames, European Parliament
