The California State Assembly has passed the Protect Our Games Act, also known as AB 1921, marking a significant milestone for the global game preservation movement. The bill cleared the Assembly floor with a 43 to 16 vote, according to details shared by Assembly Member Chris Ward via a video posted on the Stop Killing Games YouTube channel.
Under the proposed legislation, game companies would be legally required to provide at least 60 days' notice before terminating support for games that rely on online servers. Following the cessation of support, publishers would be mandated to provide a method for owners to continue playing the game, such as enabling an offline mode or facilitating support through community-run servers. If these options are not provided, the bill stipulates that companies must offer refunds to purchasers.
Assembly Member Ward stated that the legislative initiative was inspired by a constituent in San Diego who expressed frustration over losing access to games shortly after purchasing them. The Stop Killing Games organization has actively backed the bill, aligning it with their broader mission to ensure that online-reliant titles remain functional after developers or publishers cease official support.
This legislative progress follows a year of increased activity for the Stop Killing Games movement, which gained significant momentum in 2024 following Ubisoft’s decision to de-list its online racing title, The Crew. The removal of the game rendered it completely inaccessible to players, sparking widespread backlash. In response to such industry practices, founders Ross Scott and Moritz Katzner have established non-governmental organizations in both the United States and the European Union to engage in long-term counter-lobbying efforts.
In April, Scott and Katzner presented their arguments regarding game preservation to the European Parliament. The hearing was reportedly received positively by the committee, with a formal response expected from the body in the coming weeks. The movement’s efforts in the U.S. now shift to the California State Senate, where the bill must secure further support to become law.
The legislation faces notable resistance from the industry, specifically from the Entertainment Software Association (ESA). The ESA has argued that the bill could force developers to divert limited time and resources toward maintaining obsolete systems, potentially at the expense of creating new games, features, and technology. Conversely, Stop Killing Games maintains that the bill is a necessary consumer rights measure, framing the conflict as a grassroots effort to prevent companies from selling products that can be rendered useless at the publisher's discretion.
