“If Buying Isn’t Owning, Piracy Isn’t Stealing”: EU Politician Backs The Stop Killing Games Initiative

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The debate surrounding digital ownership in gaming continues to grow as more players question what it truly means to “buy” a video game in the modern era. The Stop Killing Games campaign argues that players are growing tired of paying full price for games that can eventually become unplayable when publishers shut down servers or discontinue support.

This issue has become especially relevant in an era dominated by live-service titles and always-online requirements. While consumers often purchase games believing they own them, many discover later that access can disappear if a company decides to switch off essential online services. For campaign supporters, the problem is not that developers should support games forever, but that purchased products should remain functional in some form after official support ends.

Discussion recently gained additional attention after Czech Member of the European Parliament Markéta Gregorová commented on the topic, highlighting what many see as a contradiction in the way digital purchases are marketed. The phrase “If buying isn’t owning, piracy isn’t stealing” quickly spread online, fueling conversations about consumer rights and digital ownership.

Initiative, launched by YouTuber Ross Scott of Accursed Farms, is now pushing for legal protections that would require publishers to leave games in a playable state once support ends. Whether that means offline modes, community servers, or other solutions remains part of the broader conversation, but one thing is clear: players want greater control over the games they buy.