The Stop Killing Games' European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) advances with significant progress in signature verification for post-shutdown game support.
Verification Progress and Numbers
The ECI petition has achieved 689,035 verified signatures from a total of 1,448,270. Verification efforts across Europe show that 15 countries have met their threshold levels, although Germany and France are still finalizing their counts. This initiative seeks to encourage game companies to provide support options for players post-game shutdowns, such as tools for fan-operated local servers.
- Total signatures collected: 1,448,270
- Verified signatures: 689,035
- Verification failure rate: 3%
- Prediction of valid signatures: approximately 1,404,822
Thresholds and Predictions
With verification rates expected to hold, around 1,404,822 signatures could yield legitimacy, surpassing the required 1,000,000-mark needed for consideration by the European Commission. This surplus indicates the petition's strong potential to move forward to the next stage. According to the organizers, the failure rate of verification stands at only 3%, implying a robust process that could see the initiative moving towards compelling game companies to plan for ongoing support.
Next Steps and Outcomes
If the petition reaches the 1,000,000 verified signatures threshold, it may compel the European Commission to contemplate mandatory plans for game companies regarding post-shutdown support. This could establish a pioneering consumer-focused approach within the gaming industry across Europe, potentially setting a precedent for game lifecycle management and player rights.
