Brazil Proposes Consumer-Rights Law to Protect Games From Shutdowns
A Brazilian politician has put forward a new proposal aimed at keeping video games available for players longer—using consumer-rights protections as the enforcement mechanism. The effort is explicitly inspired by the Stop Killing Games movement, which gathered momentum after Ubisoft shut down The Crew in 2024. The campaign’s core goal is to push for legal limits that make game shutdowns harder to carry out without obligations to players.
Release & Platform Tracker: Proposed Brazil Bill, U.S. Senate Setback, EU Block
| Region | Action | Key Outcome / Status |
|---|---|---|
| Brazil | Bill filed by Jandira Feghali (PL 3612/2026) | Proposes obligations for suppliers when essential digital game services are discontinued |
| European Union | Legislation attempt aligned with Stop Killing Games | Refused to advance new laws in June 2026 |
| United States | Proposed protections targeting game shutdowns | Receives a significant setback in the Senate (timing referenced as “recently”) |
Momentum for Stop Killing Games took a major hit in June 2026, when the European Union chose not to move forward with new legislation supporting the movement’s objectives. That decision drew heavy backlash at the time, partly because it followed a private meeting with Ubisoft. Even so, preservation advocates say the cause has gained fresh energy thanks to this new step from Brazil—where consumer-protection law could potentially be used to force better outcomes when games lose support.
Separately, a recently filed effort in the United States Senate that sought to add protections around game shutdowns has run into a significant obstacle. While the Brazilian proposal is still early in the legislative process, the broader picture remains clear: game preservation is facing political resistance in multiple regions, even as player pressure continues to grow.
New Bill Filing in Brazil Seeks to Turn Stop Killing Games’ Goals Into Law
Jandira Feghali, described as a pre-candidate for re-election as a federal deputy in Brazil, has introduced a measure intended to “address the protection of consumers who purchase video games.” On Twitter, Feghali stated, “Inspired by the Stop Killing Games movement, I have just filed Bill PL 3612/2026.”
The proposal is built on two existing Brazilian legal pillars: the Consumer Protection Code and the Legal Framework for the Electronic Games Industry. Feghali’s bill would create what it frames as “an obligation for suppliers in case of discontinuation of services essential to the operation of digital games.”
As with most draft legislation, submitting a bill does not guarantee it will ultimately become law. Still, filing is typically among the earliest steps toward formal regulation in many countries, including Brazil. If the measure is approved, publishers may be required to offer substitute options to keep games working in Brazil even if they decide to shut down servers.
That concept lines up with a longstanding request from players: if the ongoing costs of running multiplayer infrastructure and related maintenance rise above the revenue those modes generate, fans want companies to allow communities to continue playing rather than simply cutting services without recourse. While the bill’s full mechanics have not been publicly detailed, the intent appears to move in a similar direction—treating shutdowns as something that triggers obligations toward consumers.
Feghali is also not the first Brazilian politician to raise concerns about gamer-facing consumer protections. Earlier in July, another lawmaker, Erika Hilton, publicly discussed Sony’s plan to stop releasing discs in 2028. Hilton’s comments suggested a similar desire to ensure protective measures appear in Brazilian law, aiming to shield players from harms connected to how products are supported over time.
However, Hilton’s emphasis leaned more heavily toward physical media. She argued that disc-related decisions could create liability for companies such as Sony, pointing out that PlayStation consoles include a drive made for that specific kind of medium. In other words, while both politicians are focused on protection, their framing differs based on whether the target is digital service continuity or the risks tied to physical distribution.
For preservation advocates, 2026 has not been a friendly year. Beyond the Stop Killing Games movement’s setbacks abroad, the wider industry has also faced another disruption: PlayStation’s preparation to stop releasing new discs has raised alarms across the player base. Many observers worry that this shift could make it easier for major publishers to retire games in an increasingly all-digital ecosystem—reducing the chances that players can access content long after official support ends.
Whether Brazil’s Feghali can succeed where others have struggled remains an open question. If the bill progresses, it could influence how companies handle shutdown decisions and potentially encourage similar policy moves elsewhere. For now, players will be watching to see if consumer-protection law can be turned into a practical shield for game preservation rather than just a promise on paper.
