Stop Killing Games vows to press on after EU Commission rejects rule change

The European Commission has declined to propose a legal obligation requiring publishers to keep video games playable after they stop being provided commercially, citing existing intellectual property rights and EU copyright law that give rights holders exclusive control over their creations.

It said it will engage with consumers and publishers by the end of 2026 to explore ways to improve industry standards. The commission echoed a similar stance from the UK in 2025, pointing to current rules that require notice when a game depends on external servers and to remedies when content or service does not match the contract or what consumers could reasonably expect.

At the same time, the commission committed to two steps: initiate an exchange with the videogame industry and consumer representatives to draw up an industry code of conduct on managing a videogame's "end of life," and work with consumer organizations and authorities to raise awareness of existing consumer regulations.

European Union

european commission, video games, game preservation, publishers, intellectual property, eu copyright, end-of-life, consumer rights, industry code, external servers