With the goal of ensuring the permanent preservation of video games, the 'Stop Killing Games' campaign has officially crossed the 1.4 million signature mark in the EU region. That is an impressive jump of 200,000 supporters in just under two weeks.

The 'Stop Killing Games' movement aims to regulate publishers who remotely disable features to render purchased games unplayable. Utilizing the official 'European Citizens' Initiative' mechanism, the campaign has surpassed the 1-million-signature threshold, edging closer to a formal review by the European Commission.

However, Ross Scott, who leads the campaign, recently revealed via a YouTube video that a 'Transparency Complaint' has been filed, alleging the campaign violated EU regulations. The complainant claims the Stop Killing Games campaign 'failed to provide clear and comprehensive information on funding sources exceeding 500 euros per donor,' accusing the organizers of systematically concealing major contributions.

Furthermore, the complainant argues that the hours Ross Scott dedicated as a volunteer for the EU initiative far exceed reasonable standards for volunteering, effectively constituting an 'in-kind' contribution. Specifically, the complainant asserts that Scott’s investment of time equates to professional services valued between 63,000 euros and 147,000 euros, and that failing to report this constitutes a clear breach of EU rules.

Ross Scott has hit back, dismissing the figures as 'entirely speculative.' He emphasized, 'I am merely a volunteer, and no one has employed me. All the time I have invested has been purely voluntary.' Scott also clarified that he acts only as a promoter and holds no real authority over the decisions made by the organizers. He claimed to have consulted with EU representatives regarding the support structure back in the spring of 2024 and received assurances that everything was in order, categorically denying the accusations.

According to the European Citizens' Initiative website, the European Commission is expected to verify the facts and request corrections for any inaccuracies regarding funding or support if such a complaint is filed, though specific penalties for violations are not clearly defined.

Ross Scott also speculated that the complaint might have originated from industry insiders, accusing them of 'playing dirty.' While he feels like a political target as the campaign's profile grows, he remains optimistic, noting that members of the European Parliament are beginning to join the list of supporters.

Meanwhile, Ubisoft, the company whose decision to terminate 'The Crew' ignited the fire behind Stop Killing Games, faced questions about the movement at a recent shareholder meeting. Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot responded by stating, 'Support for every game cannot last forever,' while adding, 'This is a broader issue, and we are working on it.'