Technology

Ubisoft Under Fire: Shareholders Pressure for Action on 'Stop Killing Games' Movement

2025-07-19

Author: Amelia

Shareholders Demand Answers from Ubisoft

Ubisoft is facing a significant challenge from its own shareholders who are urging the gaming giant to address the burgeoning 'Stop Killing Games' movement. This initiative, fueled by backlash against Ubisoft's decision to take the popular game The Crew offline, has garnered widespread support among gamers.

The Birth of the Movement

Launched in April by YouTuber Ross Scott of Accursed Farms, 'Stop Killing Games' calls on players worldwide to pressure local governments about the increasing prevalence of purchased games becoming unplayable due to publisher actions. The movement gained traction after Ubisoft shut down the servers for The Crew last March, stripping players of access to both multiplayer and single-player experiences.

The Controversy Deepens

Things escalated when Ubisoft began revoking licenses, permanently removing The Crew from players' libraries. This undermined hopes of even resurrecting the game through private servers. In response to shareholder inquiries, Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot stated, "We operate in a market... Whenever we release a game, we provide a lot of support for that game." However, his comments seem to miss the core of what the movement is rallying against.

A Question of Responsibility

While Guillemot emphasized that all publishers face similar challenges, the crux of the argument presented by the movement is not about endless support. According to the group's FAQs, they support publishers ending game support but demand a responsible approach to modifying or patching games so they remain playable without ongoing company support.

Real-World Examples of Responsible Practices

The movement points to successful examples from other developers who have responsibly managed the end-of-life process for online-only games, such as Gran Turismo Sport and Knockout City. As of now, the initiative has surpassed over 1 million signatures, indicating significant consumer support.

Industry Reaction

Last week, EU industry body Video Games Europe, representing major players including Ubisoft, Take-Two, and Activision Blizzard, expressed concerns about the movement's proposals. They argue that implementing such measures could lead to prohibitive costs in game development.

Conclusion: A Call for Change

As discussions continue, it's clear that the 'Stop Killing Games' movement has sparked a necessary conversation about gamers' rights and responsibilities in an ever-evolving digital landscape. Shareholders' calls for Ubisoft to respond could signal a turning point in how publishers handle game preservation moving forward.