Players Unite to Fight Against the Shutdown of Old Game Servers
The closure of game servers has become a prevalent issue in the gaming industry, but a group of passionate players is determined to change that. Inspired by the impending shutdown of Ubisoft’s The Crew, they have launched a campaign to pressure governments into legislating on abandoned video game servers.
Grassroots Advocacy: Taking on Ubisoft
Ross Scott, creator of the popular YouTube channel Accursed Farms, initiated the campaign with a video outlining his plan to target Ubisoft’s The Crew. The game, scheduled for server closure on April 1st, is notable for its online-only nature, effectively rendering it unplayable once the servers are offline.
Scott argues that this shutdown is an example of planned obsolescence, a practice by which companies intentionally shorten the lifespan of their products to force consumers to purchase new ones. Ubisoft’s recent controversy surrounding its subscription director’s remarks has fueled the campaign’s momentum.
A Four-Point Plan for Legislative Protection
The “Stop Killing Games” initiative is calling for the following legislative protections:
- Abandoned games must remain functional.
- Games must not require server connections.
- These measures apply to games with microtransactions.
- End-user license agreements cannot override these protections.
How You Can Join the Fight
Individuals can contribute to the campaign by:
- Contacting Ubisoft to protest the shutdown of The Crew servers.
- Contacting government authorities in the USA, Canada, or Australia to advocate for legislation.
- Signing the European Citizens’ Initiative, which will be opened soon and will request the protection of game servers in the EU.
A Future for Preserving Gaming Heritage
While the campaign’s success is uncertain, it highlights the growing awareness of the need to preserve gaming heritage. As more games become digital-only and rely on online infrastructure, the risk of their extinction increases. By pressuring governments to act, players can ensure that future generations can enjoy and experience games that might otherwise be lost forever.
The fight is not over yet, and it may require sustained pressure to achieve legislative change. However, the “Stop Killing Games” initiative is a powerful reminder that the gaming community can mobilize to protect its cherished games and ensure their continued existence.
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Priyanka 
Deepika