Stop Killing Games Passes 1 Million Signatures — While PirateSoftware Quits?
The Stop Killing Games initiative, led by YouTuber Ross Scott, has hit a major milestone, surpassing 1 million signatures for its European Citizens’ Initiative petition. But as the campaign gains traction, it’s also mired in controversy.
Here's the TL;DR...
The Stop Killing Games petition, launched in 2024 by Ross Scott, has surpassed 1 million signatures, with a deadline of July 31, 2025.
The initiative aims to preserve digital games post-shutdown, challenging the practice of rendering purchased games unplayable.
Anthem’s recent server shutdown by EA has reignited the cause, but the past two weeks have seen infighting, review-bombing scandals, and high-profile exits.
The petition could potentially influence EU regulations, but internal drama poses risks to its momentum.
The Movement’s Momentum
The Stop Killing Games initiative, led by Ross Scott, has reached a significant milestone. The petition, which demands that publishers preserve digital games rather than letting them vanish when servers shut down, surpassed 1 million signatures on July 3, 2025. Launched in 2024 following Ubisoft’s controversial takedown of The Crew, the movement gained fresh urgency with EA’s decision to shut down Anthem’s servers on January 12, 2026. CultureCrave and accursedfarms highlighted the milestone, noting the petition’s deadline of July 31, 2025. If successful, it could prompt EU lawmakers to consider new regulations, potentially requiring offline modes or source code releases. It’s a key moment for digital ownership.
A Troubled Campaign?
But the past two weeks have been anything but smooth. The initiative’s core argument—that games like Anthem, The Crew, and older Assassin’s Creed titles shouldn’t become unplayable relics—has broad support.
Gaming figures like Cr1TiKaL, Asmongold, and Louis Rossmann have backed the cause, with Insider Gaming reporting a surge past 800,000 signatures by July 2, 2025, before reaching 1 million. Yet, the campaign has faced challenges.
On June 28, NotebookCheck.net reported tensions as some supporters allegedly harassed developers, leading to a backlash within the community. It’s a situation where passion has led to division, highlighting the campaign’s dual nature.
The Drama Unfolds
The drama escalated on July 2, when accursedfarms (Ross Scott’s handle) urged fans to sign in “overdrive mode” after hitting 900,000 signatures, hinting at potential fake signatures. This sparked debates on X about the petition’s legitimacy, with some calling it a “witch hunt” and others defending the cause.
The next day, July 3, PirateSoftware announced his exit from Offbrand Games, citing unhinged review-bombing of their titles linked to the movement. LudwigAhgren praised the initiative’s intent despite the chaos, but the infighting risks overshadowing the goal. It’s like a rollercoaster—thrilling but unstable.
Timeline: Two Weeks of Chaos (June 18–July 3, 2025)
June 28–29: Harassment Allegations Surface
NotebookCheck.net reported community tensions, with some Stop Killing Games supporters allegedly harassing developers over server shutdowns, prompting calls for moderation. X posts, like those from GamingInsider, criticized the movement’s “toxic fringe,” sparking a split between hardcore advocates and those wary of its methods. It’s a stark reminder of the challenges within grassroots campaigns.
July 2: Signature Controversy
Accursedfarms posted at 22:59 UTC, celebrating 900,000 signatures but warning of potential invalid signatures due to errors, urging an “overdrive” push. This led to X debates, with GameRantLive questioning the petition’s integrity, and some alleging bot activity—unsubstantiated but fueling distrust. The Verge noted a spike in online discussions, amplifying the drama as the milestone neared. It’s a moment that tests the campaign’s credibility.
July 3: High-Profile Exits and Backlash
PirateSoftware announced at 03:15 UTC his departure from Offbrand Games, citing review-bombing of their games tied to the movement, a move corroborated by X threads. LudwigAhgren (06:57 UTC) praised the initiative’s goals but condemned harassment, adding nuance to the narrative. FalkoEngelhart (21:10 UTC) linked the chaos to Anthem’s shutdown, blaming EA and BioWare’s mismanagement, escalating the industry critique. X trends showed a polarized response: supporters like Kreynon pushed the petition, while detractors like TheFlynnRider mocked the movement’s disarray. It’s a critical juncture.
Current State
As of 07:13 PM EDT, the drama has intensified the campaign’s visibility but risks alienating key allies, with 28 days left to navigate these challenges. The outcome hangs in the balance.
Legal and Industry Impact
Legal discussions suggest a successful petition could have implications. The initiative aims to challenge the legality of “planned obsolescence” in digital goods, potentially drawing inspiration from California’s AB 2426, which requires clear disclosure of digital licenses. For the gaming industry, EA’s refusal to offer refunds or offline play for Anthem has fans on X, like Zaddak and kreynon, expressing frustration, and the Stop Killing Games site is now a focal point. However, the infighting could hinder the petition’s progress, leaving its future uncertain. With 28 days remaining, the next steps are critical.
The Takeaway
The Stop Killing Games initiative represents a significant push for change, but it’s also marked by community division. With over 1 million signatures and a deadline of July 31, 2025, the petition could potentially influence EU regulations, challenging the fragile nature of digital ownership. Yet, the drama of the past two weeks—infighting, review-bombing, and high-profile exits—poses risks to its impact. As the gaming world watches, the movement’s ability to navigate these challenges will determine its outcome. The next month is pivotal.
News compiled and edited by Derek Gibbs and Steven Bubbles. Follow us on ClownfishTV.com for more gaming, pop culture, and tech news, and consider subscribing for only $5 per month to get access to exclusive podcasts and other content.
Sources:
CultureCrave, accursedfarms: X posts on Stop Killing Games petition milestone
Insider Gaming: Report on petition surge past 800,000 signatures
NotebookCheck.net: Coverage of community tensions
accursedfarms, PirateSoftware, LudwigAhgren: X posts on campaign drama
Wikipedia: Stop Killing Games initiative and The Crew shutdown
Stop Killing Games website: Petition goals and status
X threads and posts on petition legitimacy and industry impact
Discussions on potential EU and California regulations
I like Rossmann. He makes good points about right to repair. My husband fixes most things around the house.