The European Union has rejected a petition signed by over a million citizens requesting legal protection for discontinued video games. The EU acknowledged it lacks the authority to compel publishers to maintain access to older games, citing intellectual property and copyright laws. Despite the setback, the EU will develop voluntary guidelines – a code of conduct – with industry stakeholders to address the “end of life” of video games. These guidelines aim to respect gamers’ rights and explore potential compensation for lost access. Petition organizers are now focusing on amending the Digital Fairness Act through the European Parliament to potentially override the commission’s decision. The core issue revolves around publishers’ ability to render purchased games unplayable due to technical or economic reasons, a practice impacting hundreds of titles over the past decade. Lawmakers are considering legislative changes to address this growing concern regarding digital ownership.