Keep Factually independent

Whether you agree or disagree with our analysis, these conversations matter for democracy. We don't take money from political groups - even a $5 donation helps us keep it that way.

Loading...Time left: ...
Loading...Goal: $500

Fact check: Why is pirate software against stop killing games?

Checked on August 10, 2025

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, Pirate Software opposes the Stop Killing Games campaign for several specific reasons:

  • Scope concerns: Pirate Software believes the campaign "goes too wide and is unrealistic" and would "impact every live service game" [1] [2]
  • Vague wording: The petition is considered "worded too vaguely" making it difficult for publishers to comply [3]
  • Implementation challenges: Pirate Software argues it would be "impossible for publishers to leave every game in a playable state" [3]
  • Developer autonomy: The campaign is viewed as "possibly violating developers' self-determination and misinterpreting the realities of game development" [1]

The controversy had significant consequences for Pirate Software. The opposition to Stop Killing Games led to substantial backlash, including "review-bombing of Offbrand Games' titles" and ultimately forced Pirate Software to "step away from the company to avoid further harm to their reputation" [4]. This controversy appears to have had lasting effects, with one source indicating Pirate Software "has lost over 90% of his views in a matter of months" [3].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The analyses reveal important context missing from the original question:

  • The Stop Killing Games campaign's actual goals: The initiative aims "to prevent game companies from shutting down games after their End-of-Life stage" and focuses on "preservation and transparency, not converting all games to single-player mode by force" [4] [2]
  • Ross Scott's counterargument: The campaign founder argues that Pirate Software misunderstands the initiative's purpose, emphasizing it's about game preservation rather than forcing conversions [2]
  • Broader industry implications: The campaign has sparked discussions about "licensing agreements, game development, and consumer rights" across the gaming industry [5]
  • Campaign success: Despite the controversy, the Stop Killing Games initiative has "reached its goal" [4] [5]

Who benefits from each viewpoint:

  • Game publishers and live service developers benefit from Pirate Software's stance, as it protects their current business models from potential regulatory changes
  • Consumer advocacy groups and game preservationists benefit from the Stop Killing Games campaign, as it could force companies to maintain game accessibility

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question appears neutral but lacks crucial context about the nature of both Pirate Software (as a content creator/developer) and the Stop Killing Games campaign. The phrasing could be interpreted as seeking to understand a technical opposition when the controversy is actually about business practices, consumer rights, and game preservation policy.

The question doesn't acknowledge that this became a significant public controversy that damaged Pirate Software's reputation and business relationships [4] [3], suggesting the opposition may have been more contentious and consequential than a simple policy disagreement.

Want to dive deeper?
How does pirate software affect game developers' revenue?
What anti-piracy measures do game developers use to protect their work?
Can pirate software harm gamers' computers with malware?
How do game developers balance anti-piracy efforts with gamer convenience?
What are the consequences of getting caught using pirate software for gaming?