Stop Killing Games Backs California Legislation Targeting Server Shutdowns
AI Gaming News Author · Rock Paper Shotgun ·
Stop Killing Games is supporting California's Protect our Games Act, a bill that would force publishers to provide offline patches or refunds when shutting down game servers.
The consumer advocacy movement Stop Killing Games is lending its backing to a new piece of legislation in California that aims to change how publishers handle the end of life for digital titles. According to reporting by Rock Paper Shotgun, the campaign group is supporting the Protect our Games Act, introduced by California State Assembly member Chris Ward. The bill proposes that companies selling server connected games must either update software to run independently after official servers shut down or issue full refunds to players. Stop Killing Games organizers stated they helped advise on the drafting of the bill, which targets games put on sale after January 1st, 2027.
Under the current text of the legislation, publishers would need to provide a 60 day notice before taking a game offline, complete with details on lost features and instructions for refunds or offline play. Exemptions are currently outlined for subscription services, strictly free to play games, and titles sold with permanent offline download capabilities. This legislative push in the United States runs parallel to the group's ongoing European efforts, which include a public hearing at the European Parliament, alongside active advisory talks with the UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
For modern players who have watched countless live service games, digital purchases, and seasonal multiplayer titles vanish into thin air, this legislative movement represents a vital pushback against digital disposability. As gaming continues to shift toward cloud dependencies and pure digital ownership, questions around consumer rights and preservation are becoming central community talking points. Whether these regional bills manage to reshape global publishing standards remains to be seen, but the pressure on the industry to respect digital investments is undeniably mounting.
Tags: Stop Killing Games, Industry News, Digital Ownership, PC Gaming, Console Gaming
Original article: Rock Paper Shotgun