California Stop Killing Games bill stalls after Senate committee vote and ESA opposition

California's Stop Killing Games bill stalled after Senate committee vote, while campaigners vow to press ahead

California's proposed Protect Our Games Act has failed to advance through a key Senate committee, marking a setback for the Stop Killing Games campaign while organisers pledge to continue pursuing game preservation legislation.

The bill, AB 1921, sought to require digital game operators to notify players before shutting down services necessary for a game's "ordinary use". It also proposed that publishers provide an alternative version, patch, update or refund when those services end.

The legislation previously passed the California State Assembly in May by a 43-16 vote. However, on June 29, a Senate committee voted 4-3 against sending the bill to the Appropriations Committee, while four members did not vote.

Although the committee later granted reconsideration, the bill cannot progress during the current legislative session.

Following the vote, Stop Killing Games described the campaign as a significant first effort in the United States.

"This was our first attempt, in our first year, in the United States, with a U.S. budget of zero dollars," a campaign volunteer wrote on Reddit. The post added that the group had "pushed a consumer-rights bill through the entire State Assembly" and was "only three votes away from this becoming law."

The hearing also attracted attention after Entertainment Software Association vice president Jennifer Gibbons argued that private servers used to keep games playable after official support ends are "illegal" and constitute piracy.

The ESA later clarified its position, stating, "Private servers that host or distribute copyrighted game content without authorization infringe on the intellectual property (IP) rights of game publishers."

Stop Killing Games responded on X, writing, "Congratulations @theESA, you've won this round and handed us the legitimacy boost of the century by doubling down."

The organisation said it plans to return during the next legislative session with additional funding, an in-person lobbying presence and broader industry support. It also intends to pursue similar legislation in other US states while exploring potential federal action.