California Assembly Passes AB 1921 in 43-16 Vote, Requiring 60-Day Warnings for Game Shutdowns
Updated
Updated · Kotaku · May 31
California Assembly Passes AB 1921 in 43-16 Vote, Requiring 60-Day Warnings for Game Shutdowns
7 articles · Updated · Kotaku · May 31
AB 1921 cleared the California Assembly 43-16 this week, sending the “Protect Our Games Act” to the Senate as a major U.S. advance for efforts to curb game shutdowns.
The bill would force publishers to give 60 days’ notice before ending service for purchased games and preserve some ongoing access indefinitely, such as single-player functionality or support for fan-run servers.
Those rules would apply only to purchased titles, not free-to-play games, and would cover games released or resold after Jan. 1, 2027 if the measure becomes law.
The push grew after Ubisoft shut down The Crew in 2024, fueling the Stop Killing Games campaign’s argument that buyers should not lose access to digital games they paid for.
California’s vote is notable because the state houses major game publishers and Silicon Valley, while industry opposition from groups such as the ESA has been among the movement’s loudest obstacles.
Will California's new law finally stop publishers from deleting the games you paid for?
Could the cost of preserving old games prevent the next generation of online titles from ever being made?
AB 1921 and the Future of Digital Game Preservation: California’s Landmark Bill to Protect Consumer Rights
Overview
California's Assembly Bill 1921 (AB 1921) is a groundbreaking legislative effort aimed at preserving digital video games, reflecting growing concerns over game access as digital ownership becomes more common. As one of the first bills to address this issue, AB 1921 would require video game companies to give players at least 60 days' notice before shutting down server-dependent games and ensure continued access for purchasers, either through offline play, community servers, or refunds if access cannot be maintained. With California's influence as home to major publishers and Silicon Valley, the bill's progress could set an important precedent, especially as similar movements gain momentum in Europe.