[STEAM] Bill to keep online games playable clears key hurdle in California

[Steam 0]

A bill focused on maintaining long-term playable access to online games has passed out of the California Assembly's appropriations committee, setting up a floor vote by the full legislative body. The advancement is a major win for

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

' grassroots game preservation movement and comes over the objections of industry lobbyists at the

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

.

California's

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

, as currently written, would require digital game publishers who cut off support for an online game to either provide a full refund to players or offer an updated version of the game "that enables its continued use independent of services controlled by the operator." The act would also require publishers to notify players 60 days before the cessation of "services necessary for the ordinary use of the digital game."

As currently amended, the act would not apply to completely free games and games offered "solely for the duration of [a] subscription. Any other game offered for ***** in California on or after January 1, 2027, would be subject to the law if it passes.

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up