California's Assembly passed AB 1921, the 'Protect Our Games Act,' requiring digital game publishers to maintain accessibility after service termination. The bill passed with a vote of 43 to 16, marking a significant legislative victory for the 'Stop Killing Games' movement. This legislation directly addresses concerns raised when Ubisoft shut down 'The Crew' in 2024, prompting users to question whether they purchased games or merely licenses.

The bill mandates that companies selling digital games released after January 1, 2027, provide 60 days' notice before terminating service. Publishers must ensure continued access through alternative versions or patches, offering refunds if impossible. The legislation excludes subscription services, free-to-play games, and inherently offline titles while prohibiting continued sale of games made unusable by service termination.

ESA opposes the bill, citing potential security and intellectual property issues, while preservation groups argue games should be treated as cultural heritage. The legislation still requires Senate approval and the Governor's signature. California's status as home to major gaming companies makes this bill highly symbolic, potentially reshaping industry-wide service operation policies nationwide.