The European Commission announced on June 16, 2026, that it will not propose legislation requiring video game publishers to keep games playable after they stop being sold commercially [1, 2, 3, 4]. This decision follows the Stop Killing Games campaign collecting over 1.29 million verified signatures, surpassing the threshold to trigger Commission examination [1].

The Commission cited intellectual property rights, business confidentiality, costs, cybersecurity, and safety concerns to justify why mandatory preservation laws would not be proportionate at this time [1, 2, 4]. It noted that under EU copyright law, rights holders retain exclusive control over their creations [2]. "The Commission considers that at this stage it cannot propose a legal obligation to keep video games playable after they stop being provided commercially," officials said [2].

Instead, the Commission will initiate discussions with the video game industry and consumer groups by the end of 2026 to develop a voluntary code of conduct focused on managing the "end of life" for games [1, 2, 3, 4]. The code may promote transparency about when games are discontinued and encourage partnerships with cultural heritage institutions. However, it will not legally require companies to provide offline patches or tools that allow players to continue playing after official support ends [1, 4].

The Commission emphasized that existing EU consumer law already provides safeguards related to transparency, contract terms, termination conditions, and refunds if shutdowns conflict with agreements or consumer expectations [1, 2].

The Stop Killing Games campaign began in 2024 after Ubisoft shut down the online servers for The Crew, deleting the game from players’ libraries and rendering it unplayable [1, 4]. The initiative formally presented its petition to the European Commission in February 2026 after collecting 1,294,188 verified signatures in January [1]. The European Parliament held a hearing on the issue in April and a plenary debate in May 2026 [1, 2].

A Stop Killing Games official said the Commission’s decision "was not unexpected, but this doesn't mean they won't be doing anything either, as we also note ‘we were prepared’" to continue advocacy [3]. The group plans to push for amendments to the Digital Fairness Act in the European Parliament to include preservation protections [3].

Similar measures in California recently passed a state Assembly vote requiring refunds or playable versions if official servers shut down, though enforcement challenges remain [3, 4].

The Commission plans to produce a report by the end of 2026 on industry standards and consumer rights awareness related to game end-of-life management following its voluntary consultations [1, 4].