The Controversy Surrounding the Stop Killing Games Movement and Pirate Software's Opposition
2025-07-07 17:58:34Jason 'Thor' Hall, a prominent Twitch streamer and former Blizzard Entertainment developer, has been a vocal critic of the Stop Killing Games (SKG) movement since its inception in 2024. Despite his well-known passion for the gaming industry, Thor's opposition to the initiative has left many gamers puzzled. He has elaborated on his stance through YouTube videos, Twitch livestreams, and Twitter discussions, yet the controversy persists.
The Stop Killing Games initiative, spearheaded by Ross Scott, is an online petition advocating for EU consumer protection laws to prevent developers from arbitrarily shutting down video games. While the goal seems clear, Pirate Software—Thor's company—has raised concerns about the potential negative impact on developers. This stance has ignited significant backlash, including threats and even a swatting incident targeting Thor.
Pirate Software's opposition to the SKG petition revolves around three key points: the feasibility of its demands, the potential discouragement of live-service game development, and the vague wording that could imply all games must remain playable indefinitely. Thor has also referenced a blog post highlighting legal contradictions in the proposed legislation, warning of possible government overreach.
The backlash against Pirate Software intensified in recent months, with critics labeling Thor's comments as anti-consumer. His statement that 'live-service games getting shut down is fine' particularly angered gamers already frustrated by issues like DRM and recent game shutdowns. Prominent content creators, including Asmongold and penguinz0, have accused Thor of misrepresenting the SKG movement's objectives.
In response, Ross Scott clarified that the SKG petition is not about eliminating live-service games but rather ensuring developers provide end-of-life plans and allow community-run servers. Despite these clarifications, the debate between Scott and Pirate Software shows no signs of resolution, leaving the gaming community divided over the future of game preservation.
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