Bill to block publishers from killing online games advances in California
Summary
A bill called the Protect Our Games Act is progressing through California’s legislature. The law would require game publishers to either refund players or provide a playable version of online games if support is stopped, aiming to keep games accessible long-term.Key Facts
- The bill passed the California Assembly’s appropriations committee with an 11-2 vote.
- It requires publishers to notify players 60 days before ending online game services needed to play.
- Publishers must offer a refund or a way to play the game without the company’s servers if they stop support.
- The law would start applying to games sold in California from January 1, 2027, except free games and subscription-only games.
- The bill was influenced by the Stop Killing Games group, formed after Ubisoft shut down the game The Crew in 2024.
- The Entertainment Software Association opposes the bill, saying it misunderstands game licenses and could create hard legal and technical challenges.
- The bill also passed two other California Assembly committees before reaching this stage.
- The bill must still pass the full California Assembly, the Senate, and be signed by Governor Gavin Newsom to become law.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.