The 'Stop Killing Games' Campaign Smashed Its Goal, Now It's Taking the Fight to Brussels

In a rare piece of good news, it turns out that when gamers get angry enough, they can actually get shit done.

The organizers behind the "Stop Killing Games" initiative have officially announced the results of their signature drive, and it's a massive victory for consumer rights. The campaign, which aims to get the EU to pass laws preventing publishers from rendering purchased games unplayable, gathered a staggering 1.45 million signatures before the July 31st deadline.

It's a clear message to the industry that we're sick and tired of our digital libraries having a shorter shelf life than a carton of milk.

The Numbers Don't Lie

Getting the signatures was only the first step. Now, those signatures are being verified by national authorities across the EU, a process expected to take about three months.

But according to an update posted by the campaign team, the early results are looking incredibly strong. Reports from several countries are showing a signature validity rate of around 97%, which they rightly call "excellent news". With that kind of validation, they are well over the required threshold to force the European Commission to listen.

Now Comes the Hard Part

Once the verification is complete, the campaign enters its next, much tougher phase: the legislative battle. The team will personally deliver the petition to the European Commission in Brussels, officially kicking off the political process.

This is where the real fight begins. The campaign is now preparing for "legislative outreach" and, more importantly, "countering misinformation and industry lobbying". You can bet your ass that publishers and their high-priced lawyers are going to do everything in their power to kill this initiative behind closed doors.

The team is understandably playing its cards close to its chest, noting that past attempts to undermine their efforts have taught them the risks of being too open.

A Changing of the Guard

The campaign also noted that some long-time contributors, like Ross Scott of Accursed Farms fame, are stepping back after years of effort. However, they've been clear that new people are stepping up to take on responsibilities and continue the fight.

The easy part is over. The community has shown up and made its voice heard. Now, it's a waiting game as the political gears in Brussels slowly start to turn. This is no longer just a petition; it's a real, tangible legislative fight, and it's going to be a long and ugly one.