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US bill requiring paid games to be playable after they shut down has failed to pass a Senate vote
Video Games Chronicle • • technology
Key Points:
- The Protect Our Games Act, aimed at preventing paid games from becoming unplayable after server shutdowns, failed to pass a vote in the California State Senate despite previously passing the State Assembly.
- The bill required publishers to give at least 60 days' notice before shutting down game servers, disclose shutdown details and risks, and either provide an offline version or refund players.
- The campaign behind the bill, Stop Killing Games, cited lack of funding, no in-person lobbying, and alleged misleading lobbying by the Entertainment Software Association as reasons for the bill's failure.
- Activists plan to continue pushing for similar legislation in future sessions, other states, and potentially at the federal level, with stronger resources and broader support.
- The bill's intent was to protect consumers from losing access to purchased games, with examples like the shutdown of Warner Bros' MultiVersus illustrating the issue.
