Latest news with #StopKillingGames'
Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
The 'Stop Killing Games' initiative responds to criticism of its movement from lobbying group Video Games Europe
AllBollywoodCelebscoopHollywoodOriginalsBinge Ross Scott of 'Stop Killing Games' has responded to Video Games Europe's criticisms. | Credit: X The 'Stop Killing Games' initiative has been gaining momentum since the end of June 2025, with the movement's European Citizens Initiative crossing 1 million signatures on July 3. The success of the movement has prompted a response from video game lobbying group, Video Games Europe. The industry group disagreed with the aims of the movement, claiming that 'Stop Killing Games' was ignoring the multifaceted nature of game development, and that implementing the initiative's proposals would make game development prohibitively expensive and increase the legal liability faced by publishers. As a result, 'Stop Killing Games' organizer Ross Scott released a response video where he addressed, and often debunked, many of the claims made by Video Games Europe. Ross Scott of 'Stop Killing Games' addresses industry lobby I think Video Games Europe making a PirateSoftware-tier flimsily reasoned statement against Stop Killing Games while having all these infamously anti-consumer companies directly involved with them says a lot. This is exactly why Stop Killing Games needs to succeed. — Rin | 凛 (@TheIshikawaRin) July 7, 2025 Ross Scott's video went over the statement released by Video Games Europe, and in doing so, he pointed out areas of agreement, and areas where he believed the industry group was being deceptive or misleading. Ross stated that if anything, this response from Video Games Europe meant that movement was actually having an impact. Ross was also unsurprised that Video Games Europe opposed the initiative, as he believed that the industry group was driven by business interests who did not care about game preservation and instead wanted to maximize their bottom line, unlike actual game developers and fans. When it came to Video Games Europe saying that publishers had a right to discontinue online games, Ross agreed. He simply wanted to give others the ability to archive discontinued or unsupported games. Later arguments from Video Games Europe, however, drew a harsher response as he believed they were made in bad faith. Ross pushes back on many of Video Games Europe's claims The first major claim Ross took issue with was the idea that game publishers would be held legally liable if they ever allowed third parties to modify their games. Ross had a hard time believing such an eventuality couldn't be addressed in an End User License Agreement (EULA). Another argument Ross argued against was the idea that developing online titles with the regulations 'Stop Killing Games' was suggesting would make the process prohibitively expensive. Ross pointed out that a lot of the expenses incurred in online game development were the result of incorporating micro-services and platform integrations that could be done away with without rendering the game unplayable. Ross also argued that since the proposed regulations wouldn't be retroactive, publishers could start reshaping their development roadmaps accordingly should any of the initiative's ideas be taken onboard. Ross ended his response by admitting that he wasn't necessarily trying to convince the lobbyists themselves, but rather the average player, who might get taken in by arguments that he believed were made in bad faith. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. First Published: Jul 08, 2025, 03:05 IST Pulak Kumar is an entertainment and current events writer who got his start with bylines in Sportskeeda and Koi Moi. He's immensely passionate about understanding and analyzing the latest happenings in Hollywood, anime, gaming and pop culture. Read More 8/7/2025 3:17:7
Time of India
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
How is Ubisoft's EULA clause contradicting the 'Stop Killing Games' campaign?
Image via Ubisoft. The whole gaming world right now is divided into two parts following the feud regarding the 'Stop Killing Games' campaign. This is actually a consumer driven movement against the developers who delist their games out of nowhere. This actually affects a whole bunch of playerbase, who actually bought the game with real-money, but won't ever be able to play it as the game's server was actually made offline, with stopping all services. However, no one would have thought one of the biggest gaming companies would be against this movement. Ubisoft's EULA clause is why the 'Stop Killing Games' campaign exists The Ubisoft EULA is against the 'Stop Killing Games' campaign. | Image via Stop Killing Games. Amidst the clash between the 'Stop Killing Games' campaign and Pirate Software , fans have now found out Ubisoft is actually against the former. It has been discovered in Ubisoft's licence agreement that there is a claw which orders the owners to destroy the game if the developer chooses to end the service of that particular game. This clause in Ubisoft's end user license agreement (EULA) clearly states players are obliged to immediately uninstall the game and delete all the copies of the product which is in their possession if the specific game is being delisted. And this exact clause has stirred a huge controversy amidst the heat of the 'Stop Killing Games' campaign. This clause is exactly what the campaign is fighting against. SKG is fighting for the online preservation of the multiplayers games which suddenly stops its services, even after people purchase these games. The Ubisoft EULA is absolutely opposite to this, making people mandatory to dispose of all the possessions which they actually bought. Now the irony here is that Accursed Farms aka Ross Scott started this campaign after Ubisoft suddenly delisted The Crew in 2024. So, Ubisoft was the real reason behind this petition and now might be becoming the biggest reason people sign this petition, more and more. However, it's disappointing to note that such clauses aren't restricted to EULAs of Ubisoft only. It has been found out that EULAs of several games like Oblivion Remastered, Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Metaphor: ReFantazio, and many more contain that same clause, which prompts their users to destroy the ownerships of the games, if they ever get delisted by the developers. Read More: Pirate Software claims being made 'the villain' boosted petition's momentum as Stop Killing Games hits 1 Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Time of India
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
EU IT responds to Stop Killing Games ECI, ‘signing twice does NOT invalidate both signatures'
(Image via Getty Images) With rumors spreading around and concerns being raised about the Stop Killing Games initiative's potential for a few fake signatures, the European Commission's IT team finally comes to help. Addressing the concerns, officials have offered vital clarification about the signature's validity—signing twice will not invalidate support. This response tackles the growing community questions, with the campaign surging past its major milestones. The core message of the shared conversation aims to alleviate signatory anxieties and to guide future efforts in an effective order. The team now remains focused on maximizing valid signatures before the deadline of July 31, 2025. European Union IT team clarifies duplicate signature policy The Stop Killing Games campaign, demanding legal protection for preserving online games, has recently crossed 1.1 million signatures. With it, rumors suggested duplicate entries can jeopardize this count, but EU IT officials have now issued clarification. It's a major point of relief for the supporters, as the EU issues explicit confirmation, saying, 'signing the ECI petition twice will not invalidate both entries.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo As per the IT team, the system is designed to recognize and count duplicates as one valid signature. The said clarifications directly address worries about accidental multiple signings, which could have harmed the overall count of the Stop Killing Games petition signature count. The EU IT team has emphasized that their focus is on validating as many legitimate signatures as they can. As per them, a robust filtration process is already in place. They are not actively supporting the initiative via necessary technical corrections during the review process. They even advised campaign organizers to avoid spreading any panic over potential fake entries till official checks conclude. The entire focus now remains on gathering as many signatures as possible to strengthen the entire case. Misinformation about fake signatures spread before the EU IT team call Before the statement was released, social media buzzed with some claims that a significant number of signatures might be fraudulent. Some of the supporters even urged doubling down on the sign-ups for compensation. But the EU IT team has now confirmed that pre-checks are in place, which will weed out any invalid submissions. The ECI is now encouraged to ensure robust submissions. With the approaching deadline, all valid signatures would add weight to the demand for the game preservation laws. Stop Killing Games' momentum continues, despite a milestone achieved While celebrating a million signatures that surpassed the key threshold for ECI consideration, the EU IT team has strongly advised that the campaign must keep gathering support. As noted by them, exceeding the minimum by 20% will offer a strong buffer, but they enthusiastically endorsed maximizing signatures till the July 31, 2025, deadline. EU officials have confirmed that no ECO was disqualified due to signature issues. But they recognized that the Stop Killing Games campaign's meteoric rise was unique. Here, every additional valid signature would strengthen the position of the initiative as it moves towards formal Commission review. What's next for the Stop Killing Games campaign? Initiative now needs formal validation by EU member states, after the July cutoff. If it's approved, it can push the European Commission to draft laws that require publishers to make the games playable, much beyond the server shutdowns, either via private server support or through patches. While the parallel petition of the UK has triggered parliamentary debate, the EU process holds more legislative power for now. The viral growth of the campaign shows strong public demand, but the final decision rests on bureaucratic scrutiny. For now, the message is loud and clear— continue signing and spreading the word. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
With Stop Killing Games reaching over a million signatures, what does it mean for the future of game and IP preservation
(Image via Getty Images) The Stop Killing Games movement has finally surpassed one million signatures. It's a pivotal moment within the fight for video game preservation. Born out of player frustration over the vanishing titles, the movement was spearheaded by Ross Scott, challenging publishers' ability to render games unplayable, shutting down the servers. It's a practice that surpassed outrage among worldwide gamers. With this consumer-led push challenging publishers, crossing the threshold, the European Commission must address this issue, potentially paving the way for new laws that can protect digital ownership. Here is all you need to know about what it would mean for the gaming future. Stop Killing Games' one million signatures can be a turning point for digital ownership and IP Preservation The Stop Killing Games initiative is not just about keeping the old games alive, but it is also about redefining what it means to own the game. The petition forces the European regulators to confront the gaming preservation crisis head-on. As of now, many titles, especially the online-only titles, become inaccessible as the servers go offline. Big update on Stop Killing Games! The Crew shutdown by Ubisoft last year was a wake-up call, proving that even the single-player experiences could vanish overnight, erasing consumer investments and cultural artifacts. Now with a million-signature threshold, it's guaranteed to have a formal EU review, which would potentially reshape the digital ownership laws. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like La rutina de abs que necesitas [Descubre] VIDA FIT Leer más Undo Stop Killing Games And The Future Of Video Game Preservation The Stop Killing Games petition argues that consumers have the right to retain all access to games they have purchased. If this becomes successful, legislative action can mandate publishers to provide offline switches or private server options before a game shuts down. Quite crucially, it will reframe games as the lasting products and not some disposable services—label the game as a license or product at purchase. For now, publishers have control over the game IP. It allows them to shut the services just as they wish to, without buyers having any legal recourse, but with new laws, it will limit publishers' control. Companies would be required to preserve the playable versions and more. As noted by professionals, the initiative taps into deeper anxieties as players do not just lose entertainment, but they also lose personal history. The campaign, though, can pressure studios to design games with longevity and not obsolescence in their minds. Setting legal precedents can ensure that future games remain playable long after the official support ends. Why does Stop Killing Games' 1 million signatures matter? To reach one million signatures isn't a small feat. It legally requires the European Commission to consider this petition. For now, the organizers have still not stopped. Concerns over some invalid signatures because of spoofing or errors have pushed the Stop Killing Games campaign to aim for 1.4 million, just as a safety net. The petition now centers around overdrive mode till the deadline of July 31, 2025, urging all European gamers to fortify the count. The movement has already gained traction, that's beyond the EU. In the United Kingdom, a parallel petition has already surpassed one hundred thousand signatures. It forced some parliamentary discussions. Even Australia, Germany, and France didn't stay behind. They have launched their investigations into consumer rights violations related to the shutdown of games. Stop Killing Games' momentum has brought unstoppable ripple effects Stop Killing Games Was Doomed. Now It Can't Be Stopped The entire momentum suggests that public pressure is working. Ubisoft, a company that stands at the center of this entire controversy, has already started testing offline models for The Crew 2 and Motorfest. Indie studios like Blizzard (Spellbreak) and Valon (Knockout City) released peer-to-peer/private server tools after the shutdown. It's a sign that the publishers are taking notice, despite the fact that it's not a legal mandate yet, but it has already made the industry's attitudes shift. California's new law even requires a license, not product labels, for all the online-dependent games. It shows regulatory winds changing, too. Even Steam now has explicitly stated that purchases are licenses and not owned copies. The true victory of the movement is that now, if a game is sold without an expiration date, it must not vanish. Preservation has become the default expectation and not just a plea. What's next? With the petition's deadline approaching it's end date, July 31, 2025, this campaign is in the final push. If it is able to secure enough valid signatures, the EU can introduce binding legislation. It can force publishers to rethink how they design and sunset any game. For the gamers, this isn't any longer about nostalgia, but now it is about legacy, fairness, and also game's ownership. No one knows if the petition will lead to a change, but it has already sparked global conversations which would indefinitely not fade away any sooner. If you wish to be a part of it, sign the petition if you are eligible, and spread the word, as once a game's gone, it might be gone truly forever. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Stop Killing Games' European Citizens' Initiative crosses 1 million signature goal, but there's a catch
The 'Stop Killing Games' initiative, which emerged as an effort to advocate for video game preservation and combat industry practices that run contrary to that goal, made a major breakthrough on July 3 with its European Citizens' Initiative. This initiative was a petitioning campaign geared towards citizens of the European Union. With the European Citizens' Initiative petition crossing 1 million signatures, there's an increased likelihood that the European Commission will consider new laws to bolster game preservation and better regulate video game companies. However, there's a catch, as 'Stop Killing Games' organizer Ross Scott explained in his update video after the signature target was hit. Many of the 'Stop Killing Games' signatures might be invalid Ross pointed out the likelihood that many of the signatures were either improperly filed or fraudulently submitted by people not in the European Union. He reiterated that this wasn't just a petition, and that the European Commission would treat the prevalence of fraudulent or improper signatures very seriously. Ross wasn't sure how these illegitimate signatures would impact the initiative's overall goals, but he has set up an 'overdrive' target of 400,000 additional signatures to account for these discrepancies. Ross made a deliberate effort not to sound too optimistic about how things were going, as he believed he was in a 'fog' and unsure of how successful the initiative actually was. However, the deadline for the European Citizens' Initiative petition is the end of July, which gives the movement a generous window to course-correct and bolster the campaign. 'Stop Killing Games' is a reaction to contentious industry practices The 'Stop Killing Games' initiative has passed 1,000,000 signatures 'Stop Killing Games' is a dedicated movement to advocate for game preservation that coalesced into its current state after Ubisoft's decision to completely pull 2014's The Crew from all storefronts, as well as shut down the game servers and render it completely unplayable. Ross Scott, who'd made his name on the Internet as a machinima content creator, began to organize a legal advocacy movement in order to regulate the games industry and prevent it from revoking access to games people already own. Aside from the European Citizens' Initiative, 'Stop Killing Games' is also working with consumer protection organizations of individual European Union countries, and has also submitted a petition to the United Kingdom parliament, which crossed its 100,000 signature goal on July 2, just one day before the success of the European Citizens' Initiative.
