Gamers, Unite! The Crusade Against Disappearing Games Begins

What if one day you woke up, eager to dive into your favorite digital world, only to find that it’s vanished into thin air, with the only trace of its existence being memories and a hole in your wallet? This isn’t a plot for a dystopian novel; it’s a reality many gamers face today. Enter the scene, Ross Scott of Accursed Farms, a valiant YouTuber wielding the banner of the ‘Stop Killing Games’ campaign, charging against the stronghold of game publishers determined to pull the plug on beloved titles.

Ross Scott, better known for his engaging YouTube series Freeman’s Mind and Ross Game Dungeon, has been a vocal critic of the growing trend among game publishers to render games unplayable by shutting down servers or delisting titles. His campaign seeks to halt this practice, which he views as an affront to game ownership and preservation. The straw breaking the camel’s back was Ubisoft’s recent decision to terminate the servers for The Crew, a popular racer with a player base of 12 million, rendering it inoperable. Scott’s response? Launch a campaign to save our games.

This effort is a well-considered strategy to involve governments in the discussion concerning digital game preservation rather than a hasty response. The main target? The Directorate General for Fraud Protection, Consumer Affairs, and Competition in France (DGCCRF). Though there will likely be delays because of processing times, the campaign is aiming for a wider audience, with petitions being drafted for the UK, Canada, Australia, and even the EU.

At the heart of all these is the even murkiest subject of digital ownership rights. Most video games you buy today carry a disclaimer stating you’re getting a license to play the game-provided the publisher deems to support it-not the game itself. Until this grey area is argued seriously in the courts, players exist in some kind of ownership limbo. The ‘Stop Killing Games’ campaign calls for attention toward this issue so that lawful action will take place to protect the rights of customers to the games they bought.

But why is this so urgent? Just imagine buying a game with your own hard-earned cash and it being removed suddenly. Obviously, more important than just the monetary value of that money are the memories and experiences that disappear along with the game. This movement fights for our digital legacy to be preserved just as it fights for the preservation of games.

Critics may argue that the nature of digital goods is inherently temporary, comparing game ownership to car parts no longer in production. However, the fundamental difference lies in the feasibility of preservation. Unlike physical goods, digital content doesn’t degrade over time; its disappearance is a choice made by the publishers, not an inevitability.

Furthermore, the argument that government intervention is unrealistic misses the point. The campaign isn’t asking for the impossible; it’s asking for accountability and transparency. If a game must be taken offline, then at the very least, publishers should provide clear warnings and explanations, not bury the details in fine print EULAs that few read and even fewer understand.

As this train of support continues to gain momentum, let’s remember this is not about saving The Crew or any single game; it’s about setting a principle going forward with regard to digital content ownership. Living in a world where goods are getting increasingly digital, the outcome of this fight is going to set not just the tone for gaming but for the future of digital consumer rights.

It’s time for us to stand up as customers as well as players. The ‘Stop Killing Games’ campaign is an appeal to all those who support the ownership, preservation, and enjoyment of the virtual worlds we have invested so much of our hearts in. So let’s support Ross Scott and his admirable mission. Every player matters in the huge world of gaming, and every game should be played, remembered, and treasured long after its servers have shut down.