Three European Parliament committees, IMCO, JURI and PETI, held a public hearing on the European Citizens’ Initiative “Stop Destroying Videogames.” The hearing follows the initiative’s submission on 26 January 2026 and gave its organisers the chance to present their proposal. Members of Parliament questioned the European Commission about actions it may take in response.
The initiative aims to stop game publishers from making videogames unplayable after they have been sold or licensed to users in the EU. It calls for rules to ensure that games remain functional even when official support ends.
This issue raises questions about consumer rights, ownership, and licensing. It also touches on intellectual property, as publishers control how their games are used and maintained.
During the hearing, organisers explained their concerns, and lawmakers discussed possible next steps with the Commission.