EU Initiative ‘Stop Killing Video Games’ For Post-Sale Playability

A new European initiative is calling for publishers who sell or license video games within the European Union to ensure these games remain in a functional and playable state.

The proposal seeks to prevent publishers from remotely disabling games after sale, unless they first offer consumers a reasonable method to continue using the product without needing publisher support.

This initiative does not request ownership or monetisation rights, nor does it require ongoing support from publishers.

Instead, it aims to address an emerging practice in the gaming industry where titles become unplayable once online servers are shut down. In many cases, games that require an internet connection to function are abruptly rendered useless, and all efforts by users to repair or maintain access are blocked.

Such actions effectively strip consumers of their purchases and erase creative works without alternatives. Unlike other media forms, video games often cannot be replaced or substituted, making their deletion a significant cultural loss.

The initiative argues that current laws and consumer agencies are unequipped to handle these issues, as licensing agreements often bypass typical consumer protections.

Referencing Article 17 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights and various sections of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, the initiative demands stronger protections for buyers.

It insists that end-user licence agreements should not override basic consumer rights and calls on the EU to enforce higher standards in line with its obligations to consumers.

#MaltaDaily