California lawmakers have handed the Stop Killing Games campaign another win. A bill designed to shield video games from sudden shutdowns cleared a key vote in the State Assembly this week.
Assembly Member Chris Ward announced the development in a video posted to the Stop Killing Games YouTube channel, where he appears alongside campaign organizers to discuss the legislative progress.
Bill AB-1921, the Protect Our Games Act, moved forward on a 43-16 vote. A campaign volunteer also flagged the development in a Reddit post, noting that the tally drew solid backing from Democrats plus two Republican supporters. The no votes came from one Democrat and fifteen Republicans, according to a tweet from the official Stop Killing Games account that broke down the partisan split.
The vote represents a significant step for Stop Killing Games, which has thrown its weight behind the legislation as part of a broader push to preserve access to purchased video 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,” Ward said. “The idea came to be from a constituent in San Diego who is tired of seeing their game shut down after recent purchases. 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. We’re fighting for your consumer protection and making sure that you have a full right and enjoyment to these games.”
According to Stop Killing Games, AB-1921 would force publishers to give players 60 days’ warning before cutting server support for online-dependent titles. Companies would then need to either hand owners a way to keep playing (through community-run servers or offline modes, for instance) or issue refunds.
Those requirements, which center on advance notice and continued access, have been at the heart of the movement since day one. YouTuber Ross Scott launched the campaign with a video explaining the stakes for players who lose access to games they purchased.
Scott started the movement in April 2024 after Ubisoft announced it would delist and deactivate The Crew, its open-world racing game, stripping buyers of access entirely. The movement’s mission is to prevent games, regardless of quality, from vanishing in an industry increasingly willing to lock players out of experiences they paid for. Other high-profile casualties include Concord, Anthem, and Hyenas.
Meanwhile, the European arm of Stop Killing Games has been building momentum of its own. Its Citizens’ Initiative crossed 1 million unverified signatures in July 2025 and later locked in 1.3 million verified signatures this past January. European lawmakers discussed the preservation goals earlier in May and have pledged a formal response in the weeks ahead.
Ward made clear that plenty of hurdles remain before Stop Killing Games can declare victory on keeping titles alive after publishers decide to pull support. The fight continues as fresh shutdowns keep making headlines. Sony recently revealed plans to delist and close servers for its PlayStation 5 release Destruction AllStars. Just weeks earlier, 2K said it would do the same for Lego 2K Drive, cutting off online features entirely. The pattern has fueled frustration across the gaming community, with fans of Destiny 2 voicing concerns as Bungie stops game support and Bungie preparing to depart Destiny 2 with its last update arriving in June.
