Bill to block publishers from killing online games advances in California

Key Points:

• The California Assembly’s appropriations committee has advanced the Protect Our Games Act, which aims to ensure long-term playable access to online games by requiring publishers to offer refunds or updated versions if online support ends.
• The bill mandates a 60-day notice to players before discontinuing essential online services and applies to games sold in California from January 1, 2027, excluding free games and subscription-only titles.
• The grassroots group Stop Killing Games (SKG) strongly supports the bill, highlighting the need for end-of-life procedures for live service games to protect consumers from losing access without notice.
• The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) opposes the bill, arguing it misunderstands game licensing, imposes unrealistic demands on publishers, and could create legal and technical challenges related to music and IP rights.
• While the bill has passed multiple committees, it still needs majority approval from the full California Assembly and Senate before potentially being signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom.