Stop killing games: Demands for game ownership must also include workers' rights
14 days ago
- #live service games
- #digital ownership
- #gaming regulation
- Ubisoft's shutdown of The Crew servers sparked a debate on digital ownership, leading to the Stop Killing Games (SKG) movement.
- Live service games like Fortnite and World of Warcraft have shifted ownership to access, which can be revoked by companies.
- Game shutdowns erase not just content but also player communities, digital assets, and invested time, causing cultural loss.
- Regulation could help by clarifying digital ownership, requiring transparency, and mandating offline versions for discontinued games.
- Developers face unsustainable working conditions due to the demands of live service games, needing better protections and labor policies.
- The SKG movement highlights urgent issues around digital ownership, cultural preservation, and ethical labor in the gaming industry.