Following the parliamentary debate of the Stop Killing Games campaign’s petition to the UK government last year, a group of Green Party members has announced plans to propose an amendment to the party’s policy that would “compel” its MPs to support the campaign.
The Stop Killing Games campaign advocates for legislative action against game publishers that render online games unplayable when their servers are shut down. Advocates argue that publishers should be required to implement an end-of-life plan for titles whose servers are discontinued, allowing players to continue engaging with the game in some capacity, typically offline or through fan-maintained servers. Conversely, opponents of such requirements contend that this would impose significant costs and logistical burdens on developers.
Notably, there were no Green Party MPs present at the Stop Killing Games petition’s parliamentary debate, which is not particularly surprising, given that the left-leaning party currently holds just four MP seats compared to the ruling Labour Party’s 404 and the Conservative Party’s 119. Morton Atkins, chairperson and coordinator of the Green Party’s Aylesbury Vale branch in Buckinghamshire, has stepped forward to propose an amendment aimed at aligning the party with the objectives of the Stop Killing Games initiative.
In a statement shared on social media, Atkins expressed his commitment to changing the party’s stance: “In collaboration with a dozen plus Greens Organise and Green Party of England and Wales members, we’ve created an amendment to Green Party policy which would compel Green MPs to support the Stop Killing Games Campaign.” He noted his own signing of the Stop Killing Games petition discussed in Parliament and elaborated on the broader implications of the campaign.
According to Atkins, “The Green Party of England and Wales aims to be the party for a sustainable society and the party for gamers. If this passes it will help reduce destruction of digital art which has considerable environmental impacts during its creation, keeping that art alive through community volunteers and engagement with them via ‘end of life plans’ for all games, preserving our online third spaces which are crucial for tackling isolation and loneliness, especially among our youth and the neurodivergent community who live parts of their social lives in these spaces.”
Despite Atkins’ enthusiasm, the support base for the proposed amendment appears to be limited, with no current endorsement from any of the Green Party’s MPs. Inquiries have been made to determine whether any of the MPs intend to back the amendment or wish to share their perspectives. The amendment is anticipated to be presented for a vote at the party’s 2026 Spring Conference.
