As many of you might have noticed, the Stop Killing Games movement created by Ross Scott has reached over 1 million signatures, forcing the European Commission to take a look at the issue. The movement is altogether good, despite what certain questionable YouTube e-celebs say about it. Essentially, it’s a big consumer movement, trying to make sure we get to keep playing the games we buy, without dystopian publisher interference. Like removing access to our purchases. However, that is not my main concern with this post…
Video Games Europe
The organization Video Games Europe, which is essentially a political influence and lobbyist group, came out with a statement. It’s mostly corporate waffling that says nothing, except a strong wish for the status quo to continue. It means nothing to you, and everything for publishers and developers. They also released a longer statement in a PDF file, which you can read here.
This declaration talks about a lot of things, but once again, nothing good for you, the buyer of games. I mostly just wanted to point out one specific line, which makes the issue that has plagued many for years as transparent as possible: “All video games, whether digital or physical copies, are licensed. As is the case with virtually all digital works when consumers purchase online games, regardless of the country of sale, what they acquire is a personal license to access and play the copy of the game they have purchased
in accordance with the game’s terms of service. The consumer does not acquire ownership of that video game. These clear intellectual property rights underpin the entire market and enable the strong investment that the industry has seen for decades. There is no legal uncertainty about the status quo of video games.”
There we have it, clear as day. And with that, it becomes harder than ever to argue against those who’ve turned to piracy in protest. I’m not saying it’s right, that it’s a good thing, or that everyone should do it, but if they feel entitled to my money, why am I not entitled to the product I paid for? With this premise, now finally acknowledged without any pussyfooting around. I can’t help but feel tricked paying for a game, as I would only be renting it. Until the day someone else decides I shouldn’t be allowed to play it anymore. And an example of that couldn’t have come at a better time for Stop Killing Games, by one of the biggest publishers in the industry: Electronic Arts.
See, they recently decided to remove the possibility to play Anthem after January 12, 2026, since it’s a multiplayer game in the sense of infrastructure. Yet, you can complete the campaign entirely solo, which makes this title a prime example of the issue of Stop Killing Games. This means, from January 12, 2026, and on, Anthem, however shitty or good, will forever be removed from the legacy of video games – blinked out of history, with only passing memories left. It’s clear that this is the way of the future, too, if you take a gander at how the industry is currently being transformed to a digital-only place. “You’ll own nothing and you’ll be happy” once again comes to mind, and it’s a future I would rather not be part of.
I didn’t write this post to start a war, I just think it’s time to draw a line in the sand. If we let these huge publishers decide when our games die, we will keep paying full price (with ever-increasing costs) to watch our digital libraries disappear one game after another. I’m not okay with that. I’m not saying signing the petition will do much, or anything at all for that matter. But please, look at what is being said now and for the coming future when the time arrives for the EU to look at the petition. Read between the lines, and really be sure of what you’re supporting if you decide to buy an AAA product. I’m not saying everyone is a bad actor, yet many are, and they only want your money, with no interest in letting you have a product for life – or preserving gaming history for a new generation.
That’s all from me this time, thanks for reading!
/Thomas
Thanks deama & Avonaeon for links!
Tom's Gaming Vault 