As the 'Stop Killing Games' campaign continues to gain traction, demanding that online-only titles remain playable long after their servers have been shuttered,the European Commission has finally decided to step into the fray.

On the 16th, the European Commission released an official statement confirming it will meet with video game publishers and consumer representatives before the end of the year to discuss improving industry standards. The Commission noted, "The European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) has requested that we propose legislation ensuring players can still enjoy games even after commercial support from publishers has ceased."

However, don't hold your breath for a legislative miracle just yet. The Commission admits that mandating the continued playability of shuttered games is legally murky. With EU copyright laws granting exclusive rights to creators, and a thicket of intellectual property protections guarding the visual and technical aspects of a game, implementing heavy-handed regulations faces significant, real-world hurdles regarding property rights.

Instead, the Commission suggests that existing consumer protection laws are the primary shield for your wallet. Under current rules, publishers are obliged to provide clear information about service duration and termination conditions before you even click 'buy'. If a game or service fails to meet its contract or reasonable expectations, you are already entitled to remedies, such as refunds proportional to your spend.

To address these growing concerns, the Commission is launching a series of follow-up actions. They plan to draft a code of conduct for the industry regarding the end-of-life management of games by engaging with stakeholders. By the end of the year, they intend to report on the implementation of these guidelines and roll out campaigns to bolster awareness of consumer rights. Best of luck with that.