‘Stop Killing Games’ Movement Celebrates Major Victory with California Bill Approval

This week, the California State Assembly advanced the “Protect Our Games Act,” marking a significant victory for the “Stop Killing Games” movement in North America, as YouTuber Scott Ross’ campaign gains international momentum.

Bill AB 1921 introduces new regulations for commercial games that are set to be discontinued. Notably, publishers will be required to notify players 60 days in advance before shutting down a game’s service, effectively reducing the risk of future abrupt closures. Additionally, the bill mandates that players retain some level of access to these games indefinitely, whether through a single-player mode or enough functionality for fan servers to thrive. However, this legislation will only apply to purchased games, leaving free-to-play titles unaffected.

If the bill secures approval from the California Senate, it will take effect for games released or resold after January 1, 2027. The State Assembly passed it with a vote of 43 to 16.

This type of policy is gaining traction globally. The Stop Killing Games movement has resonated within the European Parliament, where discussions have primarily focused on exploitative market practices, despite some dissenting voices complaining about “wokeness.” The Euro Zone is increasingly critical of modern gaming issues, with their ratings board imposing stricter penalties for gambling-like mechanics and penalizing games that encourage excessive playtime among younger audiences.

Scott Ross, also known as Accursed Farms, initiated the Stop Killing Games movement after expressing concern over Ubisoft’s decision to shut down their open-world driving simulator, The Crew, in 2024. Ross argues that games should not be easily removed from players, challenging the growing notion that players merely lease the software they purchase rather than truly own it. This situation is exacerbated by the predominance of digital distribution, where even some physical copies come with temporary download keys. Such conditions have fostered skepticism towards live-service games, leading to intense scrutiny and backlash.

Although Ross stepped back from being the face of the movement in 2025, he still represents it during hearings when called upon. While progress in Europe is noteworthy, the significance of the California victory lies in the powerful business interests at play in state politics. California hosts some of the largest game publishers globally, along with Silicon Valley itself. The ESA, which previously organized E3, has been one of the most vocal opponents of this movement.