A California bill that preserves access to video games achieves its first victory

June 1, 2026 - 22:42

California lawmakers have taken an early step toward safeguarding access to video games with a new bill that cleared its first committee vote this week. The legislation, which aims to prevent digital storefronts from removing games that players have already purchased, gained bipartisan support in the state Assembly. Supporters argue that as more games become digital-only, consumers risk losing access to titles they own if servers shut down or licensing agreements expire. The bill would require companies to clearly disclose when a game relies on online servers to function and to provide a way for players to keep playing even after official support ends. Critics, including some tech and gaming industry groups, warn that the rules could stifle innovation and create costly compliance burdens for smaller developers. However, backers say the measure is about basic consumer rights in an era where physical copies are vanishing. The bill now moves to the full Assembly for debate, with a final vote expected later this year. If passed, California would become the first state to enact such protections for digital game ownership.