It’s over losing your games: a new law will force companies to provide solutions before closing

If you buy a game online, this new law could benefit you directly

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The preservation of video games has taken a significant step forward in the United States. The California State Assembly has approved the so-called “Protection of Our Games Act”, a new regulation that will require companies to follow a series of requirements before permanently disconnecting a game that relies on online services to function.

The initiative comes at a time when more and more players are showing concern about the disappearance of titles that become inaccessible when their servers are shut down. In recent years, we have seen numerous examples of games that have become completely unusable after the end of their official support.

The new law will require companies to offer solutions before shutting down a game

According to the approved text, companies will have to provide at least 60 days’ notice before removing a game or disconnecting the necessary services for its operation.

In addition, publishers will have to choose between several alternatives to protect consumers. Among the options considered is the possibility of releasing a patch that allows continued access to the game in some way after the server shutdown, or, in certain cases, offering refunds to affected players.

However, the measure will have some significant limitations. It will only affect video games released from January 1, 2027, so it will not be applied retroactively to existing titles. Free-to-play games are also excluded from this regulation.

Although there are still legislative steps before its final entry into force, the approval represents a victory for those who have been demanding greater protection for consumers and better preservation of video games. If it becomes law, California could set a precedent that other regions and countries could study in the future.

For players on any platform, the news could ultimately have a significant impact on how companies manage the end-of-life of their online games over the next few years.