Stop Killing Games Campaign Accused of... Wait, is This Just Gaming Industry Shenanigans?
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
The 'Stop Killing Games' EU initiative is facing an anonymous complaint about funding, which the campaign suspects is an industry attempt to derail their progress, as reported by Eurogamer. Despite the drama, the movement is gaining momentum and forcing the industry to take notice, which is good for us.
Right, so the 'Stop Killing Games' movement – you know, the one fighting to preserve our beloved digital titles – is facing some heat. According to Eurogamer, the EU initiative, 'Stop Destroying Videogames', has surpassed 1.4 million signatures (way past the 1 million needed) but someone's filed a complaint, alleging they're not being upfront about their funding.
Now, before you grab your pitchforks, let's dig a bit deeper. Apparently, this anonymous complaint hinges on the idea that Ross Scott, the campaign's figurehead, is dedicating so much time that it counts as undeclared funding. They're throwing around numbers like €63,000-147,000 based on an assumed hourly rate and workload. Scott's response? Basically, 'Bloody hell, if I worked that much, I'd be dead!'. He says it's all volunteer work and he has no actual authority.
The complaint accuses the EU initiative, spearheaded by people other than Scott, of including a 'false 'no funding' declaration' on its petition and of 'systemic concealment of major contribution'. Scott stresses he's just a 'promoter' of the EU initiative, and has 'no actual authority' over the decisions its organizers make.
But here's where it gets interesting. Scott reckons the complaint came from someone in the gaming industry, hot on the heels of some less-than-flattering remarks about the campaign from an industry lobby group. He admits he can’t be sure, but the timing does seem a bit sus, doesn't it? (Eurogamer also highlights that Ubisoft's CEO, Yves Guillemot, gave a decidedly non-committal answer when asked about the campaign at a shareholder meeting).
Here's the real kicker: even if the complaint is valid, the Citizens Initiatives website says the EU Commission will just contact the organizers to correct any inaccuracies. No talk of any real penalties.
Look, industry shenanigans aside, what matters is that a ton of gamers are clearly passionate about preserving their games. And the fact that someone’s trying to throw a spanner in the works? Well, it suggests this campaign is actually making waves. Source: Eurogamer.
Tags: Game Preservation, Gaming Industry, EU Regulations, Stop Killing Games, Ubisoft
Original article: Eurogamer