"Stop Killing Games" is a consumer movement started to challenge the legality of publishers destroying video games they have sold to customers. An increasing number of video games are sold effectively as goods - with no stated expiration date - but designed to be completely unplayable as soon as support from the publisher ends. This practice is a form of planned obsolescence and is not only detrimental to customers, but makes preservation effectively impossible. Furthermore, the legality of this practice is largely untested in many countries.

Over the past year, we have succesfully escalated complaints on this problem to consumer agencies in France, Germany, and Australia, and have brought forth petitions for new law on this problem to various countries. A list of the actions taken to date can be viewed here. As of 2025, most consumer action on this matter has concluded and we are awaiting decisions on it from several governments. However, there are a few remaining avenues left where people can participate if they are eligible

European Citizens' Initiative

This is the most powerful option at our disposal, but it requires a massive number of signatures from citizens of EU countries in order to pass. If we can pass the signature threshold, there is a very strong chance that the European Commission will pass new law that will both protect consumer rights to retain video games that customers have purchased and advance preservation efforts massively.

These remaining options unfortunately exclude citizens from other countries from participating directly, but all other options we have found are either exhausted or already underway. It is worth stating that if there is success on this issue in a major country, customers will likely benefit from the changes globally due to market forces. While it can be frustrating to be unable to act in other countries, the most effective action to take is to spread the word on these initiatives to those who are eligible to sign. If you wish to prevent video games from being destroyed so no one can ever play them again, please tell others about these initiatives!