The European Commission has decided against mandatory game preservation legislation, opting instead for voluntary industry cooperation. Video game companies will not be required to maintain online titles after they're removed from sale, despite growing concerns about digital ownership rights.

This follows the Stop Killing Games campaign that emerged after Ubisoft shut down The Crew's servers and removed the title from player libraries in 2024. The grassroots effort gathered enough signatures to force the Commission to address digital preservation concerns, sparking debates about players' rights to access purchased content.

The EC cited existing copyright and IP laws as barriers to mandatory requirements, but plans to develop a code of conduct with developers and publishers. This voluntary framework would establish expectations for how companies handle game sunsetting, with a report due by the end of 2026.

While European action remains voluntary, California has advanced state-level legislation on communicating support endings. Gaming platforms like Steam have already updated their terms to clarify that purchases are licenses rather than ownership transfers, reflecting broader industry shifts toward transparency.