
European Parliament VP Backs Stop Killing Games Campaign
The movement to preserve online multiplayer games receives endorsement from European Parliament Vice President Nicolae Stefanuta.
The Stop Killing Games initiative has garnered significant support with Nicolae Stefanuta, Vice President of the European Parliament, now backing the cause. Originally launched by YouTuber Ross Scott in 2024 to protest against the removal of The Crew, the movement aims to ensure that online multiplayer games are not discontinued, allowing fans to continue enjoying them.
In recent developments, the movement has attracted attention from both gaming companies and ex-employees. The Video Games Europe publisher group has expressed skepticism about the movement, asserting the need to shut down underperforming online titles to prevent financial losses and protect user data. Additionally, former Blizzard developer Jason “Thor” Hall and Pirate Software have opposed the movement from the start, believing that keeping all multiplayer games live is impractical and could discourage future game development.
Despite this, support for the Stop Killing Games movement continues to rise. In a recent Instagram post, Stefanuta shared his endorsement for the cause, stating, “I stand with the people who started this citizen initiative. I signed and will continue to help them. A game, once sold, belongs to the customer, not the company.” This aligns with the growing sentiment among gamers advocating for their rights to enjoy purchased titles.
The petition Stefanuta signed has surpassed 1.35 million signatures, exceeding its goal of one million. The Stop Killing Games initiative has also seen smaller petitions emerging across the European Union, with signatures mounting in nations like Germany, France, and Australia.
Only time will tell if this grassroots momentum will influence changes in the gaming industry. The discussion surrounding how long companies should support online multiplayer games continues to provoke debate, with various stakeholders voicing their opinions.