Stop Killing Games consumer protection bill passes floor vote in California

May 31, 2026 - 13:11

The California State Assembly voted on Monday to advance the Protect Our Games Act, a consumer protection bill that takes direct aim at the practice of publishers rendering purchased video games unplayable by shutting down online servers. The legislation, which passed a floor vote with bipartisan support, now moves to the state Senate for further consideration.

The bill responds to a growing trend where game companies sell titles that require an internet connection to function, then later terminate the servers, effectively bricking the product for paying customers. Supporters argue this amounts to selling a defective product. The proposed law would require publishers to either maintain minimum server functionality for a reasonable period or offer full refunds to consumers.

Proponents of the measure, including the grassroots Stop Killing Games movement, say it closes a legal loophole that currently allows companies to sell "live service" games with no guarantee of long-term viability. Critics in the gaming industry warn the bill could create compliance burdens for smaller developers and potentially discourage investment in online-only titles.

The vote comes amid broader scrutiny of digital ownership rights. If the bill becomes law, California would be the first U.S. state to mandate ongoing support for purchased software, setting a potential precedent for other jurisdictions. The Senate is expected to hold hearings on the bill later this summer.