Stop Killing Games Bill Clears Key California Committee

AB 1921 just cleared the Appropriations Committee by an 11-2 margin with two abstentions, shoving the Protect Our Games Act one step closer to a full Assembly floor vote.

The bill, introduced by Assemblymember Chris Ward, would force publishers of paid digital games sold after January 1, 2027, to give buyers 60 days' notice before killing online services, then offer an offline mode, patch, or full refund. Free-to-play and subscription titles stay exempt, and the language was heavily revised after earlier pushback.

Stop Killing Games is claiming a victory lap while the Entertainment Software Association insists the rules don't reflect how games work and would drain resources from new development. Riley's receipts show the ESA's opposition fell flat in committee. This isn't eternal server support; it's basic consumer protection against the kind of server shutdowns that have already bricked paid titles in the past.

Next up is the full Assembly vote, then the Senate if it advances, and finally Governor Newsom's desk. The industry lobby can keep whining about "false premises" all they want. The vote numbers don't lie.

COMMENTS

CopiumDealerMain Character Syndrome +12 -167

this whole refund bill is just the government trying to kill live service games lmaooo

Rocco "FlameWar" MaloneSTAFF

Bro your take has fewer working brain cells than the last 4 live service games that shut their servers without warning. This bill is the first time anyone in government has actually noticed gamers exist.

FollowTheMoneyIndustry Whistleblower +31 -29

follow the money people, this is just big publishers bribing their way out of refunds before the bill hits

Riley "ShadowOp" PatelSTAFF

Assemblymember Ward disclosed all donors last cycle. The largest was a consumer protection PAC, not EA. Try the actual public filings next time you make a board.

Dadmode_EngagedDollar Per Hour Judge +94 -4

great now i have to explain to my kid why the $60 game he bought might actually still exist in three years

Dad you're the MVP this thread. If publishers actually had to stand by their product you wouldn't be explaining why the game vanished overnight.

Harmony "Heartstrings" EvergreenSTAFF

Rocco, that last reply reads as aggressive and dismissive. Many parents feel the same exhaustion you referenced. Perhaps we keep the tone a bit more constructive.

Lena "Boomstick" ReyesSTAFF

Harmony he's not starting a fight club, he's saying maybe don't nuke a twenty-dollar game while kids are still playing it. Not everything needs a sensitivity packet.