A significant milestone has been reached in the Stop Killing Games European Citizens’ Initiative, reflecting strong European gamer engagement on the topic of digital game preservation. Over 1.29 million signatures have been officially verified by the EU, well beyond the one million threshold needed for the next stage. As discussions about digital rights heat up across the continent, this initiative channels widespread frustration over games being made inaccessible after publishers withdraw support. Many players see this proposal as an opportunity for long-term consumer protection in an era where digital ownership remains uncertain. Organizers now prepare their case for the European Commission, under growing public and industry scrutiny.
While coverage over the last year has documented rising support for the Stop Killing Games campaign, recent data shows the verification rate among submitted signatures is notably high compared to other EU initiatives. In previous reports, skeptics questioned whether the petition would gather enough legitimate support to be considered by EU authorities. The latest figures now signal broad-based resonance, especially when measured against earlier European efforts to influence digital policy or consumer protections for entertainment media.
How Did Verification of Signatures Unfold?
Of the 1,448,270 signatures collected, 1,294,188 were confirmed as valid by the EU, amounting to an approval rate of 89 percent. Moritz Katzner, representing the Stop Killing Games volunteer team, attributed the successful validation process to careful organization and timing, explaining why the announcement came ahead of schedule.
“We didn’t want to present our case unprepared, unintentionally leak information to lobby groups, or worst of all burn out our team.”
This level of verification places the initiative among the top performers within the framework of EU Citizens’ Initiatives, where similar drives typically experience a higher rate of invalidation.
What Motivates the Petition’s Demands?
The core argument centers on the right to access purchased or owned games, even after publishers end online services or shut down servers. Rather than requiring lifetime support from game companies, Stop Killing Games advocates for contingency plans that enable ongoing access, such as permitting fan-run servers for discontinued titles. Gamers cite increased frustration when popular games, sometimes including titles like Kingdom Come: Deliverance or expected releases from the 2026 games list, disappear due to business decisions.
Is Industry Pushback Affecting Public Sentiment?
The initiative has drawn not only considerable backing from gamers but also attracted pushback from industry groups concerned about developer freedoms. Nevertheless, the petition achieved substantial verified support across multiple EU countries, such as Germany, France, and the Netherlands. Katzner highlighted the community-driven nature of the volunteer effort, urging patience and empathy for those managing communications and logistics:
“You’re not talking to some abstract institution like the EU, you’re talking to real people.”
Recent events reveal that digital preservation and consumer digital rights are accelerating issues within the gaming sector. As governments review policies addressing physical versus digital media, the EU Citizens’ Initiative stands out as a major test case for bottom-up, citizen-driven legislation. Readers with interests in PC gaming—whether their focus is on upcoming 2026 games, free PC titles, or classics from the Best RPGs and Best FPS Games lists—are watching the European Commission’s eventual response. This process may influence future game publisher practices, particularly regarding digital ownership and discontinued online services. Interested consumers and industry stakeholders alike should monitor ongoing discussions as this initiative progresses.
