Stop Killing Games founder to discuss game preservation in live Ars stream on August 11

The issue of disappearing video games, where servers shut down and purchased titles become unplayable, has long troubled players. To discuss potential solutions, Ross Scott, the founder of the Stop Killing Games movement, has been invited for a live conversation. The talk is set for August 11 at 2:30 pm ET as part of the Ars Live series, with the broadcast available on YouTube.

Scott launched the movement in 2024 after Ubisoft shut down servers for The Crew. Since then, activists have collected millions of signatures on government petitions demanding legislative guarantees for access to purchased games—either through continued central server support or an option for players to run their own servers. The campaign has already prompted official parliamentary debate and a response from the European Commission, while a bill is pending in the California legislature.

The moderator, Ars' senior gaming editor, has documented numerous cases of once vibrant games being abandoned by their creators over the years. He plans to ask Scott how the movement came together, what is driving gamers' interest in long-term preservation, and whether this problem can truly be solved through legislation. Recent moves, such as Sony's decision to stop selling PlayStation discs, will also be addressed.

The discussion promises to be lively and may offer answers to questions that matter to anyone who has lost a favorite game due to server closures or digital delisting.