The California State Assembly passed the Protect Our Games Act with bipartisan support, voting 43-16 in favor. Introduced by Assemblymember Chris Ward as AB 1921, the legislation aims to preserve access to online games even after companies stop supporting them, addressing issues like when Ubisoft delisted The Crew.

The bill requires publishers to provide two-month notice before delisting games, offer full refunds if games are delisted, and ensure continued access to games even after publishers stop supporting them. The legislation would apply to digital games released after January 1, 2027, but excludes free or subscription-based games from these requirements.

The bill now moves to the State Senate committee level, facing additional hurdles before reaching the governor's desk. The legislation has support from the Stop Killing Games initiative, which is also working on similar policy changes in the European Union, where campaign leaders recently met with the European Parliament.

The proposed law represents a significant step toward addressing consumer concerns about digital preservation, potentially forcing game companies to reconsider how they handle game lifecycle management and access rights for paying customers.