A proposed law in California, known as the Protect Our Games Act, is advancing toward a vote in the State Assembly, aiming to enhance players' rights regarding online games. If enacted, the legislation would mandate that game publishers provide at least 60 days' notice before discontinuing essential services for digital games, offering refunds, software patches, or standalone versions of the games in return.
This bill, introduced by Assemblymember Chris Ward in February 2026, has successfully passed through several committees, including the Privacy and Consumer Protection, Judiciary, and Appropriations Committees, as of May 14. Notably, the initiative was developed with input from the group Stop Killing Games, which advocates for similar protections in Europe.
The legislation targets titles released after January 1, 2027, and excludes free-to-play games or those tied to subscriptions. It addresses a significant issue in digital gaming, where players often find they do not fully own their games once server support is withdrawn. This concern was highlighted by the delisting of The Crew, a racing title by Ubisoft, which underscored the challenges of modern game ownership.