The fight over digital game ownership and preservation has reached a major milestone. California’s Protect Our Games Act (AB 1921) has officially passed the State Assembly, bringing the legislation one step closer to becoming law and giving the growing Stop Killing Games movement one of its biggest wins so far.
The bill passed with a 43-16 vote and will now move to the California State Senate for further review. If approved there, it could eventually reach Governor Gavin Newsom for final approval.
What the Protect Our Games Act Would Change
The proposed legislation focuses on games that rely on online servers and services to remain functional after purchase.
Under the bill, publishers would be required to provide at least 60 days’ notice before shutting down support for games that depend on online infrastructure. More importantly, companies would need to provide consumers with a solution once support ends.
Possible options include:
- Releasing an offline version of the game.
- Providing updates that allow the game to remain functional.
- Supporting community-hosted servers where possible.
- Offering refunds if continued access cannot be maintained.
The bill would primarily apply to paid games released after January 1, 2027, while free-to-play titles and certain subscription-based services would remain exempt under the current wording.
The Movement Behind the Bill
The legislation is closely connected to the Stop Killing Games movement, which gained significant momentum after Ubisoft shut down access to The Crew.
The shutdown sparked major backlash from players after owners discovered they could no longer access the game despite having purchased it. The controversy quickly turned into a wider discussion about digital ownership, online-only games, and consumer rights.
The movement argues that consumers should not lose access to products they legally purchased simply because a publisher decides to discontinue support years later.
Since its launch, the campaign has expanded internationally, gathering support from players, preservation groups, developers, and consumer-rights advocates. It has also pushed for legal discussions across Europe and North America regarding long-term access to digital products.
Industry Opposition Remains Strong
Not everyone supports the proposal.
Major gaming industry organizations have pushed back against the bill, arguing that it could increase development costs and create additional burdens for publishers.
Critics claim that maintaining compatibility, creating offline versions, or supporting alternative systems after a game’s lifecycle ends could divert resources away from developing new games and features.
Another major argument from industry representatives centers around digital licensing. Some organizations argue that players do not technically own digital games in the traditional sense and instead purchase licenses that grant access under specific conditions.
Supporters of the bill strongly disagree with that interpretation, arguing that consumers reasonably expect products they purchase to remain accessible and functional.
Why This Could Be a Major Turning Point
While the legislation has not yet become law, many players see the Assembly vote as a major shift in how governments are beginning to approach digital ownership.
For years, publishers have increasingly relied on online infrastructure for both multiplayer and single-player experiences. As a result, entire games can effectively disappear once support ends.
Supporters believe the Protect Our Games Act could establish a new standard for the industry by forcing companies to plan for end-of-life support rather than leaving purchased games inaccessible.
With California being home to many of the gaming industry’s largest publishers and developers, the outcome of the bill could influence future policies well beyond the state itself.
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