The California Assembly has signed off on AB 1921, the Protect Our Games Act, on Wednesday and ordered the bill to the state Senate. If it becomes law, the measure would require publishers that shut down online services a game depends on to either supply an offline-capable version, ship a patch that lets it run without company servers, or provide a full refund to purchasers.
What the bill would do
According to the bill text on California Legislative Information, AB 1921 would apply to digital games that are first made available for purchase, or rereleased for purchase, on or after January 1, 2027. Operators would have to notify buyers at least 60 days before they shut down services that are necessary for the game's "ordinary use," then either roll out an offline-capable version, issue a patch, or hand out full refunds.
The bill would also bar companies from selling, leasing, or otherwise distributing versions of covered games that cannot be used independently of services controlled by the operator. Subscription-only titles and free-to-play games would be exempt, so this is aimed squarely at games that people pay to own and then lose when the servers go dark.
Why supporters are pushing it
Supporters, including the Stop Killing Games campaign and Consumer Reports, argue the proposal plugs a hole in digital consumer protections by stopping paid games from suddenly disappearing on players. The Assembly Appropriations Committee analysis notes that "AB 1921 aims to protect video game users against unexpected shutdowns."
Backers also stress that the bill is not a demand for eternal server upkeep. Instead, they say it gives operators a menu of options: keep the game playable in its ordinary form, provide a patch or offline-capable version, or refund customers and call it a day.
Industry pushback
The Entertainment Software Association has gone on record against the measure, warning it "could force developers to spend limited time and resources keeping old systems running" and arguing that some online titles simply cannot be turned into offline experiences, as reported by GameSpot.
Coverage in PC Gamer notes that the proposal has exposed fault lines between industry groups, consumer advocates, and game preservationists, who are clashing over how technically feasible these protections are and how much they could cost.
What is next
The Assembly passed AB 1921 on a 43-16 roll call vote. The bill was then read in the Senate and sent to the Senate Rules Committee for assignment, according to LegiScan.
If the Senate signs off and the governor adds a signature, the rules would kick in for covered games sold on or after January 1, 2027. Under the bill text, enforcement would rest with the Attorney General or with district attorneys, not with private lawsuits, which keeps the power in public hands rather than opening the door to individual litigation.
