The gaming industry is facing a heated debate over the ownership and longevity of purchased games, with a growing consumer rights movement challenging the practice of shutting down online-only games. This issue has come to the forefront with the Stop Killing Games campaign, which has garnered over 1.3 million signatures in its petition to the European Commission, leading to a public hearing in the European Parliament. The campaign's origins can be traced back to the sudden shutdown of Ubisoft's The Crew, a racing game that had over 12 million players. The game's removal from service felt like a personal betrayal to many players, who had invested years of their lives into the game, sharing it with their children and creating lasting memories. The campaign's founder, Ross Scott, and his team argue that publishers should be held accountable for the games they sell, and that shutting down a game without offering alternatives like offline updates or refunds is akin to destroying a creative work.
The industry's response has been mixed. Ubisoft has defended its decision in court, arguing that customers only have a license to use the game and that online services are not guaranteed forever. However, the lawsuit was dismissed due to the plaintiffs' voluntary withdrawal. Video Games Europe, representing major publishers, claims that shutting down online services is a valid option when games become unviable. They argue that the campaign's proposals could increase development costs for online-only games. Scott and his team counter that publishers should handle game shutdowns responsibly, considering end-of-life plans to ensure players can still enjoy their purchases.
The rise of 'live-service' games, which rely heavily on online interaction and communities, has made this issue more prominent. Games like Sony's Destruction AllStars and Concord have been taken offline due to poor performance or lack of player interest. Joost van Dreunen, a professor of games business, explains that games are more like digital communities than consumable products, making it challenging to sustain these communities in a market dominated by long-running successes. The campaign's impact is evident in the legal actions taken by consumer groups and the proposed legislation in California, which would require publishers to keep games playable or offer refunds after online support ends.
Despite the UK government's resistance to new legislation, the Stop Killing Games campaign continues to gain momentum, with a parliamentary debate and over 100,000 signatures. Scott and his team remain committed to the cause, understanding that the battle may take years to win. The debate sparked by this campaign is likely to shape the future of the gaming industry, forcing publishers to reconsider their approach to game ownership and longevity.
