Ubisoft found itself in the hot seat at a recent shareholder meeting, facing tough questions about the “Stop Killing Games” petition and the company’s approach to preserving its older titles. The petition, gaining traction across Europe and beyond, demands legislation to prevent publishers from rendering purchased games unplayable after ending support.
The “Stop Killing Games” movement directly challenges the industry’s current practices, urging lawmakers to intervene and safeguard consumer access to video games they rightfully own. Fueling this movement was Ubisoft’s decision last year to shut down servers for the original *The Crew*, a move that sparked significant player backlash, including threats of legal action and accusations of digital ownership erosion.
According to reporting from Game File, the annual meeting saw CEO Yves Guillemot confronted by a vocal shareholder regarding the petition and Ubisoft’s long-term game preservation strategy. The exchange highlighted the growing tension between publishers’ operational needs and players’ expectations of continued access to their purchased games.
Guillemot responded by emphasizing the market dynamics at play: “Regarding the petition, we operate in a market. And, whenever we release a game, we provide a lot of support for that game. We also provide a lot of services to make sure that the game is accessible and remains playable 24/7.” He further stated, “So, we provide information regarding the game and how long the game can be played. And players and buyers are forewarned that eventually the game may be discontinued.”
“Nothing is eternal. And we are doing our best to make sure that things go well for all players and buyers, because obviously support for all games cannot last forever.” – Yves Guillemot, CEO of Ubisoft
Guillemot pointed to Ubisoft’s efforts to mitigate the impact of *The Crew’s* shutdown, mentioning a heavily discounted promotion for *The Crew 2* in September 2024 and the announcement of upcoming offline modes for *The Crew 2* and *The Crew: Motorfest*. He frames these as proactive steps taken in response to player concerns.
“So this is an issue that we’ve been dealing with,” he claimed. “But this kind of issue is not specific to Ubisoft. All video game publishers are faced with that issue.” The CEO argued that maintaining perpetual access to online games presents a universal challenge, considering evolving technology and the finite lifespan of software.
The debate over game preservation raises fundamental questions about digital ownership and consumer rights. While publishers argue for the necessity of discontinuing support for older titles due to technical constraints and economic viability, players assert their right to access content they have purchased.
The “Stop Killing Games” petition, now boasting nearly 1.4 million signatures aimed at the EU, has prompted a response from Video Games Europe, a lobbying group representing the video game industry. This indicates the growing political and legal pressure surrounding the issue.
Here’s a breakdown of the core concerns and arguments:
- Player Perspective: Games are purchased products and should remain accessible.
- Publisher Perspective: Maintaining online services indefinitely is unsustainable.
- Technical Challenges: Older games may become incompatible with newer systems.
- Legal Uncertainty: Current laws don’t explicitly address digital game preservation.
- Ethical Considerations: The removal of games can be seen as a form of censorship.
The situation is complex, but what is often forgoten is the human impact. “I remember logging into *The Crew* one last time,” recalls avid racing fan, Mark Olsen from Ohio. “It was like visiting a ghost town. Knowing the servers would be switched off for good, and my progress erased… Something fundamental had shifted,” he explained. “It wasn’t just losing a game; it felt like losing a part of myself. I spended countless hours customizing my cars, racing with friends, and exploring the open world.” His sentiment echoes across online forums and social media, a collective sense of frustration and disappointment. People share screenshots of their favourite vehicles, races, and memories, mourning the loss of a virtual space they invested time and effort in.
Ubisoft’s response, while acknowledging the issue, highlights the inherent difficulties in providing indefinite support for online games. Guillemot eloborated, “The lifespan of a piece of software, whenever there’s a service component, eventually services may be discontinued, because eventually the software may become obsolete over time. A lot of tools become obsolete 10 or 15 years down the line. They’re no longer available. And that is why we release a new version. And so we have version two and then version three. But clearly this is a far-reaching issue, and we are working on it.”
However, this rationale doesn’t fully address the emotional attachment players develop toward their games and the sense of ownership they feel. The *Crew* wasn’t just a piece of software; it was a virtual world where players forged friendships, achieved goals, and created memories. Erasing this world feels like a betrayal to many. Gamers across the world are using platformas such as X.com, Facebook, and Instagram to voice their frustrations. A recent post on X.com read: “#StopKillingGames We deserve to play the games we paid for! Corporations shouldn’t be able to just take them away from us. #SaveTheCrew”
The debate around Ubisoft’s stance and the broader “Stop Killing Games” movement is far from over. The issue raises important questions about the future of digital ownership, the responsibility of publishers, and the role of legislation in protecting consumers. As technology continues to evolve and the gaming industry grows, finding a sustainable balance between publishers’ needs and players’ rights will be crucial. The pressure remains on Ubisoft and other major publishers to find viable solutions that ensure their games remain accessible and playable for years to come. It’s uncertain if a resolution to this issue will arise any time soon, but gamers worldwide are making their voices heard.