EU Kids Act Sparks Fears for Small Creators and Classic Games

October 9, 2026 - 15:11

Campaigners have warned that stringent requirements to adapt games to children by default would prompt the extinction of small games and make costs spiral for developers.

The proposed legislation, which aims to protect minors online, would require game makers to apply child safety settings to all titles unless a user can prove they are an adult. Industry figures argue this default approach would force every game, from tiny indie projects to decades old classics, through costly compliance checks.

Small studios say they lack the legal and technical resources to meet such rules. Older titles, often kept alive by hobbyist communities, could simply be pulled from stores rather than updated. Critics also warn that age verification systems would add friction for all players, not just children.

Supporters of the act say stronger safeguards are needed as younger audiences spend more time in online worlds. The debate now moves to lawmakers, who must weigh child protection against the survival of a diverse gaming ecosystem.