Ubisoft recently found itself in the hot seat during a shareholder meeting, facing tough questions about its response to the Stop Killing Games petition. This movement is gaining traction and demanding regulatory action to prevent video games from becoming unplayable after their support ends.
Stop Killing Games is pressuring lawmakers to legislate against publishers “destroying” games that have been purchased by players. The controversy was amplified by last year’s shutdown of Ubisoft’s popular title The Crew, which ignited backlash from the gaming community, including threats of legal action.
Following this unrest, Ubisoft pledged to roll out offline modes for both The Crew 2 and The Crew: Motorfest. At the annual meeting, CEO Yves Guillemot was confronted by an “aggressive questioner” about the company’s plans for game preservation.
Guillemot stated, “Regarding the petition, we operate in a market. Whenever we release a game, we provide extensive support to ensure it remains accessible 24/7.” He also emphasized that players are forewarned about eventual discontinuation.
For The Crew, he mentioned a special two-week promotion in September 2024, making the sequel available for just €1/$1 on various online platforms. Guillemot reiterated, “This is an ongoing challenge, not just for Ubisoft but for all game publishers.”
He elaborated that while they aim to deliver lasting services, nothing is guaranteed in the fast-moving world of gaming. “The lifespan of software with service components eventually leads to some services being discontinued. We’re committed to minimizing the impact on players, but it’s a reality we must acknowledge.”
The Stop Killing Games petition has amassed nearly 1.4 million signatures, prompting responses from lobbying group Video Games Europe and furthering the conversation around game preservation in the industry.