California Assembly Advances Bill to Keep Paid Games Playable

The California Assembly approved the Protect Our Games Act in a 43-16 vote, advancing the measure to the State Senate. The legislation would require publishers to notify players before discontinuing server-dependent titles and to provide a way for customers to continue using games they bought.

The bill lists possible remedies including adding offline functionality, enabling community-run servers, or providing tools and documentation that allow continued play after official services end. The bill does not set precise technical standards or deadlines; those details would be worked out as the legislation moves through the legislature.

Coverage under the proposal would be limited to paid games released after January 1, 2027. Games released before that date would not be subject to the requirements in the draft bill. Supporters argue the cutoff establishes a clear starting point for regulation, while opponents raise concerns about the cost and technical feasibility of preserving functionality for online-dependent titles.

The measure is backed by the Stop Killing Games campaign, which has advocated for legal protections for players. A related petition in the United Kingdom has gathered nearly 190,000 signatures in support of similar rules.

If the bill becomes law, publishers operating in California may need to change development and release plans for future titles, including building offline modes or offering tools that let player communities run servers. How companies will comply and how those options will be enforced would be determined through later legislative or regulatory action.

The State Senate will consider the bill next; it could be amended during committee hearings and floor debate before any final vote or potential signature by the governor.