European Parliament VP Joins the 'Stop Killing Games' Movement
2025-07-14 23:52:03The Stop Killing Games initiative has recently gained significant momentum with the endorsement of European Parliament Vice President Nicolae Stefanuta. Originally launched by YouTuber Ross Scott in 2024 following the delisting of The Crew, this movement aims to prevent the shutdown of online multiplayer games, ensuring players retain access to titles they've purchased.
While the campaign has rallied widespread consumer support, it has also faced opposition from industry stakeholders. Video Games Europe, a major publisher association, has argued against the movement, citing financial sustainability and data security concerns. Similarly, former Blizzard developer Jason 'Thor' Hall of Pirate Software has consistently opposed the initiative, maintaining that perpetual game preservation is impractical and could stifle innovation.
Nicolae Stefanuta's recent Instagram post marked a watershed moment for the movement. "I stand with the citizens behind this initiative," he declared. "Having signed their petition, I remain committed to their cause. Purchased games should belong to players, not corporations." The Stop Killing Games team subsequently shared his statement across social platforms.
The European petition referenced by Stefanuta has surpassed 1.35 million signatures, exceeding its initial million-signature goal. Gamers can monitor real-time progress via the Stop Killing Games tracker, with national petitions emerging in Germany, France, and Australia.
As the debate continues between preservation advocates and industry pragmatists, the movement's ability to engage policymakers like Stefanuta demonstrates its growing cultural relevance. Whether this translates to lasting industry change remains uncertain, but the conversation has undeniably shifted toward examining players' rights in the digital gaming era.