A Californian Bill Progresses Through State Assembly
A bill in California, supported by the Stop Killing Games campaign, has advanced through the State Assembly. This bill, known as AB 1921, aims to hold publishers accountable for shutting down servers of online games by providing full refunds or a playable version of the game that does not rely on servers. Despite opposition from the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), the bill has gained momentum.
After passing a vote in a state committee, AB 1921 recently received 43 votes in favor and 16 against in the State Assembly. The breakdown of votes can be viewed on California’s legislative information site. The next step is consideration by the California State Senate, where the fate of the bill will be determined.
If AB 1921 successfully navigates through the State Senate, it will then be presented to Governor Gavin Newsom for approval. The European counterpart to this campaign is also gaining traction, with an EU petition for consumer protections around game server shutdowns awaiting a response from the European Commission.
