By Dexerto | Created at 2026-08-14 13:18:12 | Updated at 2026-08-14 16:41:57
4 hours ago
Stop Killing Games’ idea of having laws protecting gamers is “complicated,” according to one legal expert who believes there might be a “mismatch” in what people actually want.
The Stop Killing Games movement launched in 2024, with the idea being that it could force some change in how developers treat games once they’ve ceased active development on it. They believe players should have access to games they’ve bought, even if they’ve been sunsetted.
Their petition managed to gain over 1 million signatures, but the European Commission ultimately declined to introduce the law that SKG requested. Other countries have jumped on board, and SKG has even joined a $457 million lawsuit against Sony.
However, one legal expert believes that there is a “mismatch” in what people want and what they think they’ll achieve, with their goals being more “complicated” than they think.
Stop Killing Games may have a “mismatch” in ideas
Speaking to The Games Business, Dr Celia Pontin, who is the director of policy and public affairs at Flux Digital Policy, said that while an “ideal solution” is suggested, it “might not work out” as planned.
“One of the concerns is there’s a mismatch between what people might be calling for and what is possible, not necessarily just technologically, but also when it comes to how existing legislation works, whether that’s consumer protection or IP law, as well as the practical implementation of it,” she said.
“A lot of this is complicated, particularly when you are trying to apply a solution across a really diverse industry, and diverse in terms of the types of game, not just genres, but whether they’re multiplayer or single player or require lobbies or the server architecture and the technology that lies behind that.”
She also stated that it is “not straightforward” for players to take over some “copyright” and “IP” from developers and do it themselves.
Pontin noted there is already “a framework for dealing with these sorts of things,” but added that the campaign has made people more aware of their rights when it comes to purchasing digital media.
Both Rockstar Games and Sony have come under fire for their separate decisions on ditching physical discs. Grand Theft Auto fans want a physical disc version of GTA 6, but they won’t get it.
Some stores are refusing to sell the highly anticipated game for as long as Rockstar won’t offer a disc version.
