1.3 million gamers asked the EU to stop killing games. Brussels said no.

The Commission rejects binding rules; offers a voluntary industry code instead.

The “Stop Killing Games” citizens’ initiative — 1.29 million verified signatures — asked the EU to stop publishers from bricking games when servers shut down. On 16 June the Commission declined to propose binding rules, citing IP and cost concerns, and offered a voluntary industry code of conduct on game end-of-life by the end of 2026 instead.

For youYour dead game stays dead — for now. It’s also a lesson in what a million-signature initiative can and can’t force Brussels to do.

Next: The campaign pivots to the upcoming Digital Fairness Act; 45 MEPs signed a supportive inquiry.

Verified against the sources above on 18 July 2026. Plain-language summary — not the legal text and not legal advice.