Stop Killing Games: Protect Our Games Act wins vote in the California Assembly

The Stop Killing Games movement has reached an important milestone with the approval of the Protect Our Games Act, also known as bill AB-1921. The law, which aims to protect games from being taken offline, passed a vote in the California Assembly by 43 votes to 16. The development reflects growing support for video game preservation in the state.

What the bill does

Bill AB-1921 would require game companies to give 60 days' notice before ending support for server-dependent games. They would also need to provide a way for owners to keep accessing those games, or alternatively issue a refund. This could be done through community servers or offline access to the games.

The proposal was driven by concerns from a San Diego resident who had frustrating experiences after games were taken offline. Chris Ward, a member of the California Assembly, has been leading the campaign and is encouraging gamers and developers to contact their senators to show support for the bill.

Reaction and support

The Assembly vote showed strong support from the Democratic caucus, along with two Republican votes in favor. Opposition came from one Democratic vote and fifteen Republican votes. The result shows that while there is a strong majority backing the bill, significant resistance remains.

Ward stressed the importance of the legislation for consumer protection. The bill is intended to give gamers more rights and ensure they can keep playing the games they paid for, even when publishers decide to shut down the servers.

Future of the legislation

The bill will now be discussed in California's Senate committee in June. The process is far from over, and there are still many steps to go before it can become law. The Stop Killing Games movement hopes this development will not only affect California, but also set a precedent for other states and countries to consider similar measures.

In Europe, the debate over game preservation remains active as well, with recent discussions touching on the goals of the Stop Killing Games movement. It is clear that awareness and concern are growing around the future of digital games and consumer rights.

With the vote in the California Assembly now complete, an important step has been taken toward preserving access to online games. The impact could be far-reaching, not just for California gamers, but for the wider gaming community worldwide.

The Stop Killing Games movement aims to ensure that both new and old games remain available for current and future generations of players. Despite the challenges ahead, the movement continues to fight for its cause.

Conclusion

The approval of bill AB-1921 represents a powerful step toward game preservation. It shows that support is growing for gamers' rights and for keeping access to digital games alive. It is a period of rising awareness, both in the United States and in Europe, about the need to protect games from being taken offline.

We will continue to follow developments around this legislation and hope for a positive outcome for gamers worldwide.