European Commissioner Michael McGrath, responding to a parliamentary question from Kosma Złotowski (ECR), confirmed that the European Commission will adopt a formal reply to the ‘Stop Destroying Videogames’ European Citizens’ Initiative by July 2026. The reply, in the form of a communication, will set out the Commission’s conclusions and any measures it intends to take. The ECI, which gathered over 1.2 million signatures, calls for rules preventing publishers from rendering purchased videogames unplayable after ending technical support.
McGrath’s answer, given on behalf of the Commission, notes that the Commission met with the ECI organisers on 23 February 2026 to discuss the initiative’s objectives. He referred to a previous reply to written question E-003581/2025 for substantive issues, but did not provide new details on potential regulatory action. The Commissioner explicitly stated that the ECI does not address price differences for videogames across EU member states, and that the Commission will not tackle that matter in its reply. He explained that EU consumer law requires traders to inform consumers of the total price but does not regulate price levels, and that copyright-protected services like videogames are exempt from the Geoblocking Regulation’s non-discrimination principle.
Policy orientation and institutional follow-up
the Commission acknowledges the ECI but offers no concrete commitments on new legislation. The July 2026 communication will be the key moment to assess whether the Commission proposes binding rules to ensure game preservation or opts for softer measures. The reply also clarifies that price disparities are outside the scope of this initiative, potentially disappointing consumers in lower-income member states like Poland. Stakeholders most impacted include videogame publishers (facing potential new obligations), EU consumers (seeking protection against planned obsolescence), and national authorities (who would enforce any new rules). The Commission’s stance leans toward preserving the current legal framework, with no immediate shift toward stronger consumer protection in this area.