We're closing in on the two-year anniversary for Stop Killing Games, and the campaign's biggest effort is about to finally get its answer. Now that 1.3 million verified signatures in the European Citizens' Initiative have been passed to the European Commission, we've got a timeline for the group's final decision.
First, a point of clarification: Stop Killing Games is a name for a broad group of initiatives kicked off by YouTuber Ross Scott, inspired by Ubisoft's shutdown of the always-online racing game The Crew, encouraging governments around the world to introduce regulations that would prevent publishers from, essentially, revoking access to games players have purchased.
The EU branch of the Stop Killing Games campaign, properly known as Stop Destroying Videogames (unfortunately, they hate to write "video games" correctly in Europe), is by far the most notable. This is the European Citizens' Initiative that's generated so many headlines over the past year, racking up well over the 1 million signatures required to ask for an investigation from the European Commission.
"The Commission has until 27 July 2026 to present its official reply," the body says in a new statement, "outlining the actions it intends to take, if any. The Commission will meet the organisers to discuss the initiative in detail in the coming weeks. A public hearing will then be organised by the European Parliament."
That "if any" bit might give you pause, but the uncertainty's always been there. Successfully gathering the 1 million signatures for an ECI only guarantees that the Commission will meet with you to discuss the issue, and grant a public hearing at the European Parliament. The Commission may decide to propose legislation to resolve the issue, or choose some other action – or, depending on its findings, it may take no action at all.
The Commission notes that Stop Destroying Videogames is just the "14th valid initiative" to be examined since the first Citizens' Initiative was registered in 2012. Whatever the outcome of this campaign, Stop Killing Games is finally standing at the threshold of its ultimate goal.
