Final Decision on Stop Killing Games Campaign Expected by July as European Commission Outlines Hearing Schedule

We’re approaching the two-year mark for Stop Killing Games, and the campaign’s most significant effort is about to receive a response. With 1.3 million verified signatures submitted to the European Commission through the European Citizens’ Initiative, we now have a timeline for the group’s final decision.

To clarify, Stop Killing Games represents a wide array of initiatives launched by YouTuber Ross Scott, sparked by Ubisoft’s decision to shut down the always-online racing game The Crew. The goal is to urge governments worldwide to implement regulations that would prevent publishers from revoking access to games that players have already purchased.

The EU segment of the Stop Killing Games campaign, officially known as Stop Destroying Videogames (though they prefer the less accurate “videogames” spelling), stands out as the most prominent. This European Citizens’ Initiative has made headlines over the past year, surpassing the 1 million signatures needed to request an investigation from the European Commission.

“The Commission has until 27 July 2026 to present its official reply,” the body stated in a recent announcement, “outlining the actions it intends to take, if any. The Commission will meet with the organizers to discuss the initiative in detail in the coming weeks. A public hearing will then be organized by the European Parliament.”

The phrase “if any” might raise some eyebrows, but this uncertainty has always been part of the process. Gathering 1 million signatures for an ECI guarantees a meeting with the Commission to discuss the issue and a public hearing at the European Parliament. However, the Commission may choose to propose legislation, take alternative actions, or, based on its findings, decide not to act at all.

The Commission points out that Stop Destroying Videogames is only the “14th valid initiative” to be reviewed since the first Citizens’ Initiative was registered in 2012. Regardless of the outcome, Stop Killing Games is finally on the brink of achieving its ultimate goal.

Stop Killing Games emphasizes that the initiative is about ensuring players have control over their gaming experience: “You as the customer should have the final say as to when you’re done with a game.”