Rethinking Dismissiveness Towards the Stop Killing Games Initiative

The Stop Killing Games initiative, which seeks to establish end-of-life regulations for online games, has achieved significant milestones in both the UK and EU. With over 1.4 million signatures, it has likely met the requirements for examination by the European Commission. The industry's response has been largely dismissive, with claims that the initiative's requests are impossible to fulfill. However, the initiative's core ask is for online games to have a clear end-of-life plan, allowing players to continue enjoying the game they've paid for, without requiring publishers to support the game indefinitely. The EU's history of pro-consumer regulatory actions, such as banning mobile network roaming fees, suggests that the Commission may take the initiative seriously. Presenting the industry as responsible and pro-consumer, and engaging with the initiative's concerns, may be a more effective strategy than misrepresenting its positions. The industry could consider adopting standards for handling end-of-life, such as allowing single-player modes to continue functioning after shutdown, or providing server code for online titles. While some solutions may not be realistic as regulations, the industry can still take steps to demonstrate its commitment to consumer concerns and mitigate the risk of heavy-handed regulation.