As a prominent publisher of physical and independent video games, PixelHeart is deeply committed to ensuring that every game lives on. In an era dominated by digital distribution, server shutdowns, and remote game deactivation, we proudly support the international initiative Stop Killing Games.
This movement is crucial for preserving the cultural legacy of video games and defending the fundamental rights of players around the world.
Stop Killing Games: fighting the disappearance of digital games
In 2024, game developer and video essayist Ross Scott, known for his work with Accursed Farms, launched the campaign Stop Killing Games in response to Ubisoft’s controversial shutdown of The Crew. Despite being a paid title, the game became completely unplayable, even in its single-player mode, once the servers went offline.
This shocking decision sparked widespread backlash and drew attention to a troubling pattern: more and more games are disappearing forever, often due to business decisions that leave consumers stranded and their purchases void.
Many games now rely on always-online connections, even for solo gameplay. This dependency makes them vulnerable to vanishing completely once server support is pulled, regardless of how many people bought or still enjoy the game. These decisions not only strip away player rights, they also endanger our shared digital history.
The core demands of Stop Killing Games, supported by PixelHeart
At PixelHeart, we fully support the goals of Stop Killing Games, which aim to ensure the longevity of video games and protect consumer rights:
Mandatory inclusion of an offline mode for single-player games to ensure playability after official support ends.
Possibility to host private servers or publish server code for discontinued multiplayer games, allowing communities to keep them alive.
Ban on remote deactivation of legally purchased games, safeguarding players’ rights.
Transparency about the nature of the purchase (permanent good or temporary license).
These demands aim to have video games recognized as cultural works in their own right, alongside films and literature.
Preserving video games: a crucial cultural issue
Video games tell stories, drive technical innovation, and foster social bonds. Their digital disappearance is a major cultural loss. At PixelHeart, we advocate for a physical and sustainable model of video gaming, where each cartridge or disc becomes a memory object, accessible and transmissible without relying on external servers.
This approach stands in contrast to the fully digital trend, which weakens the gaming heritage and exposes players to irreversible loss.
The Stop Killing Games movement has already gathered over one million signatures through a European petition, prompting the European Commission to consider measures for consumer protection and the preservation of digital games. This civic momentum echoes the impact of the GDPR on personal data protection.
Additionally, complaints have been filed with consumer protection authorities in Europe and Australia. Influencers and associations committed to game preservation and archiving are also amplifying the cause.
How to support Stop Killing Games
Some publishers cite technical, security, or financial constraints to justify server shutdowns and refusal to release source code. However, viable solutions exist:
Release of offline patches;
Controlled opening of community servers;
Partnerships with archiving organizations.
These practical avenues help balance innovation, security, and digital heritage preservation.
You too can take action to protect the future of video games:
Share the campaign across your social platforms and gaming communities;
Call out publishers and encourage responsible preservation practices;
Support associations dedicated to preserving video game culture.
At PixelHeart, we will continue to promote a sustainable video game model, honoring the memories of players and the rich cultural value of this unique medium.
Our adventure continues with the release of the second episode of our vlog Project PX, an immersive dive into PixelHeart’s daily universe.
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