Game developer Anthem confronts potential closure due to the Stop Killing Games campaign, and the producer states a possible need to "make certain concessions to ensure the continued existence of video games."
Preserving the Past: The Battle for Game Preservation and Consumer Rights
The gaming industry is currently embroiled in a significant debate surrounding game preservation, consumer rights, and the shutdown of online games, with movements like the "Stop Killing Games" campaign gaining momentum. This movement, which has garnered over 1.4 million signatures through the European Citizens' Initiative, is pushing for greater transparency and regulation in the industry.
One of the most prominent examples of this issue is the upcoming shutdown of BioWare's Anthem, scheduled for January 12, 2026. Mark Darrah, a former executive producer at BioWare who served at the company for almost 24 years, has expressed surprise that Anthem made it as long as it did before its shutdown. His comments highlight the trade-off between game preservation and the potential loss of game fidelity, a dilemma that the industry is grappling with.
The "Stop Killing Games" movement advocates for clearer ownership rights for consumers, minimum support periods for games, and clear content update roadmaps. It also proposes the development of mandatory offline versions of online games once servers are discontinued. Another innovative solution discussed is enabling community-led maintenance or modding after official support ends, which can sometimes lead to official enhanced re-releases later on.
Game preservation efforts have seen advancements with companies and communities working together to keep games playable on modern systems. Examples include GOG.com's preservation program, the work of developers like Night Dive Studios, and the use of specialized engines like Digital Eclipse's Eclipse Engine. Community projects, such as Minecraft's Omniarchive, also play a crucial role in archiving multiple versions of games that receive ongoing updates.
The shutdown of Anthem is emblematic of the broader problem of live service games being discontinued, fueling consumer frustration and the debate over ownership and preservation. While no single definitive solution for Anthem's shutdown has emerged, it underscores the need for regulatory measures and community involvement to protect player investments and cultural heritage in games.
Mark Darrah, in his visit to a video game archivist trying to preserve forgotten games, has expressed support for game preservation. He acknowledges that many games, including Anthem and possibly Concord, are at risk of disappearing. The video game archivist, who is working to preserve the world's most forgotten history, faces challenges, including opposition from other gamers.
Darrah questions whether society may need to pay consequences to prevent games from disappearing, likening game preservation to the regulation of chemical companies. His comments reiterate the trade-off between game preservation and potential costs, and his analogy implies that game preservation may require financial sacrifices.
In conclusion, the gaming industry is increasingly recognizing the need for regulation, consumer rights clarity, and collaborative preservation strategies to confront challenges posed by game shutdowns and evolving live service models. The "Stop Killing Games" movement is a focal point advocating for these changes, while preservation initiatives offer technical and legal pathways to safeguard gaming history and accessibility for the future.
