Jason “Thor” Hall, a Twitch streamer and former developer at Blizzard Entertainment, has vocally opposed the Stop Killing Games (SKG) movement since its inception in 2024. His stance is puzzling to many gamers, especially given his long-standing passion for the video game industry. Thor has expressed his thoughts through various YouTube videos, livestream discussions, and Twitter posts, but his reasoning has sparked confusion among fans who expect him to support a cause aimed at preserving beloved games. The SKG initiative, spearheaded by Ross Scott, seeks to introduce consumer protection laws in the EU that would prevent developers from arbitrarily shutting down games.
While the goal seems straightforward, it has attracted criticism from Pirate Software, which argues that such measures could harm developers. This resistance has led to significant backlash against Thor, who has faced swatting incidents and numerous threats as a result of his outspoken views. Many are eager to understand why his opposition to the SKG movement has elicited such intense reactions. Pirate Software’s main objections to the SKG petition include its perceived impractical nature for various games, the potential discouragement of live-service development, and the vague phrasing that seems to demand all games remain playable.
Thor has shared concerns that the proposed legislation could lead to government overreach, citing legal contradictions in the initiative. The hostility directed toward Pirate Software has intensified due to Thor’s comments, which some have deemed anti-consumer. His assertion that the shutdown of live-service games is acceptable has added to the frustration within the gaming community, especially amidst ongoing issues like digital rights management (DRM). Notable content creators such as Asmongold and penguinz0 have criticized Thor for misunderstanding the movement, arguing that it focuses on encouraging developers to provide end-of-life plans for games rather than shutting them down completely.
The ongoing discourse between Scott and Pirate Software indicates a deep divide, leaving the future of the petition uncertain.