The California State Assembly Has Passed the 'Protect Our Games Act'
5 hours ago
- #game preservation
- #consumer rights
- #legislation
- The California State Assembly passed bill AB 1921, the 'Protect Our Games Act,' requiring game publishers to keep games accessible after service ends.
- The bill requires 60 days' notice before terminating service and mandates that purchasers can continue playing via alternatives or receive refunds.
- It excludes subscription services, free-to-play games, and inherently offline games, and bans selling games made unusable by service termination.
- The movement started after Ubisoft shut down 'The Crew,' sparking debates over whether consumers bought the game or just a license.
- Opposition from the ESA cites security and IP concerns, while preservation groups argue games are cultural heritage deserving protection.
- The bill still needs Senate approval and the Governor's signature; if enacted, it could influence U.S. gaming industry policies.