Stop Killing Games bill passes first vote in California

June 2, 2026 - 01:39

A proposed law aimed at preventing video game publishers from rendering purchased games unplayable has cleared its first legislative hurdle in California. The bill, which passed a committee vote in the state senate, targets the practice of companies shutting down online servers or revoking digital licenses for games that consumers have already bought. If enacted, the legislation would require publishers to maintain a game in a functional state or provide a reasonable offline mode before discontinuing support.

Supporters argue that the current market allows companies to sell a product and later effectively destroy it, leaving players with nothing but a non-functional application. The bill's author stated that consumers deserve to keep what they pay for, comparing the practice to selling a car and then remotely disabling its engine. The gaming industry has pushed back, warning that such mandates could stifle innovation and force developers to support aging titles indefinitely, potentially increasing costs for new releases.

The measure now moves to the full state senate for further debate. If it becomes law, California would be the first U.S. state to impose such requirements on digital game sales, setting a potential precedent for consumer rights in the growing digital marketplace. The final outcome remains uncertain as both consumer advocacy groups and industry lobbyists intensify their efforts.