Look Sports Media – The UK government will debate the Stop Killing Games (SKG) petition on November 3rd, a landmark moment for gamers protesting the practice of publishers disabling access to already-purchased games. The petition, launched in April 2024 by YouTuber Ross "Accursed Farms" Scott following Ubisoft’s controversial shutdown of The Crew, has garnered significant momentum. The EU version secured nearly 1.5 million signatures, with a remarkable 97% deemed legitimate. The UK petition, currently boasting almost 190,000 signatures, triggered the parliamentary debate after surpassing the 100,000 signature threshold in July. Confirmation emails sent to signatories highlight the upcoming debate and promise a post-debate video and transcript.
This isn’t the first time the UK government has addressed SKG concerns. In February 2025, Labour MP Chris Bryant acknowledged player frustrations, but the government reiterated its lack of plans to amend consumer law regarding game disabling, emphasizing existing consumer law compliance. However, the government’s recent £30 million Games Growth Package, part of a larger £380 million investment in creative industries, suggests a growing recognition of the gaming sector’s importance.
While the package aims to support British game developers, its limited acknowledgment of the burgeoning UK esports scene is notable. A recent survey revealed that a quarter of young UK boys aspire to esports careers, highlighting the sector’s potential. Despite this, some government support for esports is evident, with the ESL One Birmingham 2024 Dota 2 event receiving £145,000 in funding from the West Midlands Combined Authority and the UK government. Birmingham’s continued role as an esports hub, with upcoming DreamHack and ESL One events, further underscores this commitment. The November debate will be a crucial test of the government’s willingness to protect consumer rights in the gaming sphere and acknowledge the growing influence of the gaming community.
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