EU rejects law to keep video games playable, seeks voluntary code

The European Commission officially responded today to the "Stop Destroying Videogames" citizens' initiative. While the Commission acknowledged the importance of the issue, it concluded that it cannot propose a legal mandate to force publishers to keep games playable after they are discontinued

The EU said on Tuesday it cannot require video games to remain playable after they are withdrawn from sale, but ‌will work with industry and consumer groups on a voluntary code of conduct for managing games' "end of life".

It comes as French consumer group UFC-Que Choisir sued Ubisoft in March after the video game maker shut down servers for its online racing game "The Crew", making it permanently unplayable for buyers.

Ubisoft said players bought limited access, not full ownership. UFC-Que Choisir alleges the company misled consumers about how long the game would remain available and imposed unfair contract terms stripping ‌players of ownership rights.

The case is backed by the "Stop Killing Games" campaign launched after the controversy.

The Commission said copyright and other intellectual property rules prevent it from imposing an obligation to keep games playable. It added it would work with consumer organisations and authorities to raise awareness of existing rights.

"Active enforcement of these existing consumer rights can also incentivise the providers to offer video games with longer lifespans and explore solutions for meeting consumer expectations," the Commission said in a statement.

EU signals preference for voluntary industry standards over legal mandates and the voluntary code of conduct expected to be developed by the end of 2026.