California “Stop Killing Games” Bill Fails, Server Shutdown Rules Hit Delay
The “Stop Killing Games” effort has suffered a serious setback after a proposed California bill failed in the state Senate, a move that would have forced publishers to provide more advance notice before shutting down servers and to offer an offline path or refunds.
Stop Killing Games Bill Fails in California Senate
A U.S. measure supported by the Stop Killing Games movement has been voted down in California’s State Senate. The Protect Our Games Act, introduced by Assemblyman Chris Ward, ended with a result of four votes in favor, three against, and the rest of the senators abstaining.
Under the bill, publishers would have been required to notify players 60 days ahead of taking a game’s servers offline. It also outlined additional specifics, including which services and features would be discontinued, and any security-related concerns tied to the shutdown.
The proposal also included two potential obligations after support ends: publishers would either need to deliver updates that allow offline play, or they would have to refund players the full purchase price of the original game.
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
In a statement shared by the Stop Killing Games campaign, the group highlighted some of the opposition’s arguments. A lobbying organization connected to the Entertainment Software Association reportedly made claims against the legislation, including an assertion that community-run private servers for games such as Minecraft could be illegal.
The opposition further argued that it would be “impossible” to keep online games playable once official support ends, while also pointing to complications around maintaining titles that include licensed content.
Even though the Protect Our Games Act did not clear the California State Senate, the campaign post said the bill still produced meaningful takeaways. It described the California proposal as the first of its kind in the United States for the Stop Killing Games movement, and it emphasized that there was no on-the-ground lobbying presence or paid staff from the group involved in pushing the measure.
Stop Killing Games also stated that it plans to introduce additional bills patterned after the California effort across the country. The movement said it is also preparing to improve its lobbying footprint and secure funding to strengthen future attempts beyond what lawmakers saw this time around.
Why the Push Matters for Online Games
The Stop Killing Games setback lands as the campaign continues to target a broader problem: when game support ends, some online titles end up effectively dead, leaving players unable to access content they paid for. The movement has built momentum over the last two years, pushing for protections that range from refunds to offline support when servers shut down.
Stop Killing Games traces its origins to Ubisoft’s decision to take The Crew offline in 2024, cutting access for players. The campaign started after what it described as an abrupt shutdown that left the community unable to keep playing the game.
While the European Commission did not deliver immediate change after Stop Killing Games’ petition, it did confirm it would open discussions with game companies about improving end-of-life practices for video games. The campaign has continued to press for policy guardrails as more organizations begin aligning with its goals.
What to Watch Next
The latest loss in California comes as other groups pursue their own legal and policy routes. In March, French consumer organization UFC-Que Choisir filed a lawsuit against Ubisoft, arguing that the publisher misled customers regarding ownership of The Crew before the game was shut down.
With the Protect Our Games Act failing in California, Stop Killing Games says the rejection is likely to keep pressure on the issue—potentially strengthening its resolve to bring similar proposals to new places and with more resources behind them.
