The Future of Gaming: Can Shareholder Activism Save Digital Ownership?

In June 2024, Ubisoft announced the sunsetting of online services for several older titles, including notable games from the Assassin's Creed and Far Cry franchises. This decision, while framed as a necessary step to focus on newer projects, ignited a firestorm of criticism from players who felt their purchases were being devalued. Stories of players losing access to single-player content and features they had paid for became commonplace, fueling the growing discontent surrounding digital ownership in the gaming industry. This discontent has coalesced into movements like Stop Killing Games, advocating for stronger consumer rights and game preservation. Now, shareholder activism is emerging as a potential catalyst for change, aiming to hold companies like Ubisoft accountable for their digital ownership policies.

The Rise of "Stop Killing Games"

The Stop Killing Games movement emerged as a direct response to the increasing trend of game developers removing games from digital storefronts and shutting down servers for older titles. It's a grassroots effort driven by gamers who believe that purchasing a digital game should grant them the right to access and play it indefinitely. The movement argues that game preservation is crucial, not only for individual enjoyment but also for the cultural and historical significance of video games. They contend that games are a form of art and entertainment that should be preserved for future generations, much like books, films, and music.

The movement's core message resonates with many gamers who feel increasingly vulnerable to the whims of game publishers. With the rise of digital distribution, players no longer have the same control over their game libraries as they did with physical media. Games can be delisted, servers can be shut down, and updates can be removed, effectively rendering purchased games unplayable. This has led to a growing sense of unease and a demand for greater consumer rights in the digital gaming space.

Ubisoft Under Scrutiny

Ubisoft, a major player in the gaming industry, has found itself at the center of this debate. The company has a long history with live service games, titles designed to be continuously updated and supported with new content. While these games can be incredibly popular and profitable, they also rely heavily on online servers, which are expensive to maintain. As a result, Ubisoft has made the decision to shut down servers for several older live service games over the years, effectively ending the games' lifespans.

This practice has drawn criticism from the Stop Killing Games movement and has even caught the attention of Ubisoft's own shareholders. Recently, a group of shareholders directly challenged Ubisoft's management regarding their handling of digital ownership and game preservation . They argued that Ubisoft's policies were damaging the company's reputation and alienating its customer base. The shareholders demanded a clear response to the concerns raised by the Stop Killing Games movement and urged Ubisoft to adopt more consumer-friendly policies regarding digital ownership.

The significance of this shareholder challenge cannot be overstated. It demonstrates that the issue of digital ownership is not just a concern for gamers; it is also a matter of financial importance for investors. If Ubisoft's policies are perceived as unfair or anti-consumer, it could lead to a decline in sales and a loss of investor confidence.

The Argument for Digital Ownership

The core argument for digital ownership rests on the principle that consumers should have the right to access and play games they have purchased, regardless of whether the game is distributed digitally or physically. Gamers argue that they are paying for a product, and they should have the same rights as if they had purchased a physical copy. This includes the right to play the game offline, to keep it indefinitely, and to transfer it to others.

The concept of "digital rights" is central to this debate. While consumers technically purchase a license to play a digital game rather than owning the game outright, they argue that this license should come with certain rights. These rights should include the ability to play the game for as long as they want, without the threat of it being revoked by the publisher. They also argue that they should have the right to modify the game, create fan content, and share it with others, as long as they do not infringe on the publisher's copyright.

Parallels can be drawn to other forms of digital media, such as music and movies. While streaming services have become increasingly popular, consumers still have the option to purchase digital copies of songs and films. These digital copies typically come with fewer restrictions than streaming licenses, allowing consumers to download them, play them offline, and keep them indefinitely. Gamers argue that they should have the same rights when purchasing digital games.

Shareholder Activism as a Solution

Shareholder activism is emerging as a potential solution to the digital ownership problem. Shareholders can use their influence to pressure companies like Ubisoft to adopt more consumer-friendly policies. This can be done through various means, such as submitting shareholder proposals, voting against management recommendations, and publicly criticizing the company's actions.

Shareholder activism has been successful in other industries, such as the environmental and social responsibility sectors. For example, shareholders have successfully pressured companies to reduce their carbon emissions, improve their labor practices, and divest from controversial investments. There is no reason why shareholder activism cannot be equally effective in the gaming industry.

To be successful, shareholder activism requires a coordinated effort from multiple shareholders. It also requires a clear and compelling message that resonates with both investors and the public. The Stop Killing Games movement can play a crucial role in this process by providing shareholders with the information and resources they need to advocate for change.

The Developer's Perspective

It is important to acknowledge the challenges faced by game developers when it comes to digital ownership. Maintaining older games and servers can be expensive, especially if the games are not generating significant revenue. Developers also face complexities related to licensing agreements and intellectual property rights. For example, a game may include licensed music or characters that the developer no longer has the rights to use, making it difficult to re-release or update the game.

However, these challenges do not justify the complete removal of games from digital storefronts or the shutdown of servers without providing alternative options for players. Developers have a responsibility to find creative solutions that balance their business needs with the rights of their customers. This could include offering offline modes for live service games, releasing source code to the community, or partnering with game preservation organizations.

Potential Solutions and Future Directions

Several potential solutions could address the digital ownership problem and ensure the long-term preservation of video games:

• Offline Modes for Live Service Games: Developers could offer offline modes for live service games, allowing players to continue playing the game even after the servers are shut down. This would require some additional development work, but it would provide a valuable service to players and help preserve the game for future generations.
• Open-Source Projects for Game Preservation: Developers could release the source code for older games to the community, allowing fans to modify and maintain the games themselves. This would require a willingness to relinquish control over the game, but it could ensure that the game remains playable for many years to come.
• Digital Resale Markets: Platforms could establish digital resale markets, allowing players to sell their digital games to other players. This would provide a way for players to recoup some of their investment in digital games and would create a secondary market for older titles.
• Stronger Legal Frameworks for Digital Ownership: Governments could establish stronger legal frameworks for digital ownership, granting consumers greater rights over the digital products they purchase. This could include laws that require developers to provide refunds for games that are removed from digital storefronts or that prevent developers from shutting down servers without providing alternative options for players.
• Game Subscription Services that Ensure Perpetual Access to Purchased Titles: Game subscription services could be structured to ensure that players retain access to the games they have "purchased" through the service, even if they cancel their subscription. This could be achieved by granting players a permanent license to the games they have played while subscribed.

Other Gaming News and Impact

In other gaming news, Digital Extremes recently unveiled a new Warframe named Uriel at its TennoCon 2025 event . The reveal showcased new protoframe designs, completing the A to Z frame lineup for dedicated players. This expansion highlights the continuing evolution and developer support for established live service games.

Additionally, rumors suggest the next Battlefield game will be called Battlefield 6, with a reveal event coming soon . Leaked images point to a near-future setting, generating excitement within the Battlefield community and underscoring the anticipation for the next installment in this flagship franchise.

Conclusion

Digital ownership and game preservation are crucial issues that deserve serious attention from game developers, publishers, and consumers. The growing discontent surrounding these issues has led to the rise of movements like Stop Killing Games and has even prompted shareholder activism. By working together, stakeholders can find solutions that balance the needs of the industry with the rights of consumers. Shareholder activism and growing consumer awareness can drive positive change in the gaming industry, ensuring that video games are preserved for future generations.

Support initiatives that promote digital ownership and game preservation. Contact your favorite game developers and publishers and let them know that you care about these issues. Together, we can create a future where video games are treated as the valuable cultural artifacts they are.