The European Commission has rejected a proposal to mandate video game preservation, opting instead for a voluntary industry code despite a petition signed by nearly 1.3 million people.

Key Points

• The European Commission ruled that legally requiring publishers to maintain discontinued games is disproportionate due to intellectual property and cybersecurity concerns.
• The proposed voluntary code of conduct will focus on improving storefront transparency regarding game end-of-life status and fostering partnerships with cultural heritage institutions.
• The Stop Killing Games initiative, led by Ross Scott, gathered 1.3 million verified signatures demanding that publishers keep games playable after official support ends.
• Campaign organizers plan to bypass the Commission by lobbying members of the European Parliament to include preservation requirements in the upcoming Digital Fairness Act.
• Existing EU consumer laws will continue to serve as the primary mechanism for addressing refunds and contract terminations related to game shutdowns.

Why it Matters

This decision highlights a significant regulatory divide between consumer advocacy groups seeking digital ownership rights and industry concerns regarding intellectual property and operational costs. The shift toward legislative lobbying suggests that the debate over game preservation will remain a central issue in European digital policy discussions.