The Stop Killing Games movement has achieved a landmark victory as California's Assembly Bill 1921, also known as the Protect Our Games Act, passed the State Assembly with a decisive 43-16 vote on May 30, 2026.
As announced by California State Assembly Member Chris Ward, the bill now heads to the state senate for debate in committee throughout June. The vote breakdown saw strong Democratic support with two Republican yes votes, while opposition consisted of one Democrat and 15 Republican votes.
What AB-1921 Does
The Protect Our Games Act would require game companies to provide 60 days' notice before shutting down support for server-dependent games. Publishers would then need to either offer a method for owners to continue playing affected games post-shutdown — through community servers, offline access, or other means — or provide refunds.
"The idea came to be from a constituent in San Diego who is tired of seeing their game shut down after recent purchases," Ward said in a video on the Stop Killing Games YouTube channel. "We're fighting for your consumer protection and making sure that you have a full right and enjoyment to these games."
"It's over in the state senate now, and we're going to be able to debate that in committee in the month of June. So, if you live in California, be sure to contact your state senator and tell them as a gamer or developer why you care and this matters to you." — Assembly Member Chris Ward
Movement Origins and Context
YouTuber Ross Scott launched the Stop Killing Games consumer movement in April 2024 after Ubisoft delisted and pulled The Crew offline, making it permanently unplayable for owners. The movement gained significant traction through a European Citizens' Initiative that secured over 1.3 million signatures across Europe.
Recent examples of games being rendered unplayable include Sony's Destruction AllStars (PS5), Concord (Firewalk Studios), EA's Anthem, and 2K's Highguard and Lego 2K Drive. The bill's passage also comes at a time when Sony has announced it would delist Destruction AllStars and 2K confirmed it would shut down online functionality for Lego 2K Drive.
What's Next
AB-1921 now advances to the California State Senate, where it will be debated in committee throughout June. If it passes the senate and is signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom, California — home to major gaming companies like Activision Blizzard, Electronic Arts, and Sony Interactive Entertainment — would set a powerful precedent for consumer protection in digital gaming. The bill still faces significant hurdles, but its passage out of the Assembly represents the strongest legislative action for game preservation ever taken in the United States.