Protect Our Games Act - Revision history

Sojourna at 03:33, 20 May 2026

2026-05-20T03:33:50Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:33, 20 May 2026
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	'''[[Protect Our Games Act]]''' or '''~~Pog~~ Act''' is a proposed{{clarify\|proposed or passed}} California law, AB1921,<ref>{{Cite_web \|author=LegiScan, Chris Ward \|title=CA AB1921 2025-2026 Regular Session \|url=https://legiscan.com/CA/bill/AB1921/2025 \|website=LegiScan \|date=12 February 2026 \|url-status=live}}</ref> introduced by Chris Ward and backed by [[Stop Killing Games]], that aims to establish consumer protections for purchases of video games with functionalities that depends on online services. The bill would be added to the California Business and Professions Code and would apply to digital games that are made available for purchase starting from 1st January 2027.		'''Protect Our Games Act''' or '''POG Act''' is a proposed{{clarify\|proposed or passed}} California law, AB1921,<ref>{{Cite_web \|author=LegiScan, Chris Ward \|title=CA AB1921 2025-2026 Regular Session \|url=https://legiscan.com/CA/bill/AB1921/2025 \|website=LegiScan \|date=12 February 2026 \|url-status=live}}</ref> introduced by Chris Ward and backed by [[Stop Killing Games]], that aims to establish consumer protections for purchases of video games with functionalities that depends on online services. The bill would be added to the California Business and Professions Code and would apply to digital games that are made available for purchase starting from 1st January 2027.

	On 14 May 2026 the bill passed with 11 Ayes, 2 Nays and 2 Absent votes.<ref name="vote">{{~~Cite_web~~ \|author=~~LegiScan~~ \|title=Vote Results \|url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billVotesClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1921 \|website=LegiScan \|date=14 May 2026 \|url-status=live }}</ref>		On 14 May 2026 the bill passed with 11 Ayes, 2 Nays and 2 Absent votes.<ref name="vote">{{Cite web \|author= \|title=Vote Results \|url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billVotesClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1921 \|website=LegiScan \|date=14 May 2026 \|access-date=19 May 2026 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/hwls6 \|archive-date=20 May 2026}}</ref>

	==Definitions==		==Definitions==
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	*Games that are permanently downloadable for offline use and without revocable access.		*Games that are permanently downloadable for offline use and without revocable access.

	==Industry ~~Response~~==		==Industry response==
	{{Main\|ESA comment on Protect Our Games Act}}		{{Main\|ESA comment on Protect Our Games Act}}
	The [[Entertainment Software Association]] filed a comment against the bill<ref>{{Cite_web \|author=Stop Killing Games \|title=The Industry is lobbying against Stop Killing Games! (again) \|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/StopKillingGames/comments/1t9ne7c/the_industry_is_lobbying_against_stop_killing/ \|website=Reddit \|date=11 May 2026 \|url-status=live }}</ref>.		The [[Entertainment Software Association]] filed a comment against the bill<ref>{{Cite_web \|author=Stop Killing Games \|title=The Industry is lobbying against Stop Killing Games! (again) \|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/StopKillingGames/comments/1t9ne7c/the_industry_is_lobbying_against_stop_killing/ \|website=Reddit \|date=11 May 2026 \|url-status=live }}</ref>.

	==Result==		==Result==
	On 14 May 2026 the bill passed with 11 Ayes, 2 Nays and 2 Absent votes.<ref name="vote"/>		On 14 May 2026 the bill passed with 11 Ayes, 2 Nays and 2 Absent votes.<ref name="vote" />

	==See ~~Also~~==		==See also==
	*[[Stop Killing Games]]		*[[Stop Killing Games]]
	*[[Video game preservation]]		*[[Video game preservation]]

Sojourna: Moved punctuation to before ref; deleted extraneous period.

2026-05-20T02:43:42Z

Moved punctuation to before ref; deleted extraneous period.

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:43, 20 May 2026
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	'''[[Protect Our Games Act]]''' or '''Pog Act''' is a proposed{{clarify\|proposed or passed}} California law, AB1921<ref>{{Cite_web \|author=LegiScan, Chris Ward \|title=CA AB1921 2025-2026 Regular Session \|url=https://legiscan.com/CA/bill/AB1921/2025 \|website=LegiScan \|date=12 February 2026 \|url-status=live}}</ref>, introduced by Chris Ward and backed by [[Stop Killing Games]], that aims to establish consumer protections for purchases of video games with functionalities that depends on online services. The bill would be added to the California Business and Professions Code and would apply to digital games that are made available for purchase starting from 1st January 2027.		'''[[Protect Our Games Act]]''' or '''Pog Act''' is a proposed{{clarify\|proposed or passed}} California law, AB1921,<ref>{{Cite_web \|author=LegiScan, Chris Ward \|title=CA AB1921 2025-2026 Regular Session \|url=https://legiscan.com/CA/bill/AB1921/2025 \|website=LegiScan \|date=12 February 2026 \|url-status=live}}</ref> introduced by Chris Ward and backed by [[Stop Killing Games]], that aims to establish consumer protections for purchases of video games with functionalities that depends on online services. The bill would be added to the California Business and Professions Code and would apply to digital games that are made available for purchase starting from 1st January 2027.

	On 14 May 2026 the bill passed with 11 Ayes, 2 Nays and 2 Absent votes.<ref name="vote">{{Cite_web \|author=LegiScan \|title=Vote Results \|url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billVotesClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1921 \|website=LegiScan \|date=14 May 2026 \|url-status=live }}</ref>.		On 14 May 2026 the bill passed with 11 Ayes, 2 Nays and 2 Absent votes.<ref name="vote">{{Cite_web \|author=LegiScan \|title=Vote Results \|url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billVotesClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1921 \|website=LegiScan \|date=14 May 2026 \|url-status=live }}</ref>

	==Definitions==		==Definitions==

Tracerneo: styl.

2026-05-20T00:46:44Z

styl.

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:46, 20 May 2026
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	[[Protect Our Games Act]] or '''Pog Act''' is a proposed{{clarify\|proposed or passed}} California law, AB1921<ref>{{Cite_web \|author=LegiScan, Chris Ward \|title=CA AB1921 2025-2026 Regular Session \|url=https://legiscan.com/CA/bill/AB1921/2025 \|website=LegiScan \|date=12 February 2026 \|url-status=live}}</ref>, introduced by Chris Ward and backed by [[Stop Killing Games]], that aims to establish consumer protections for purchases of video games with functionalities that depends on online services. The bill would be added to the California Business and Professions Code and would apply to digital games that are made available for purchase starting from 1st January 2027.		'''[[Protect Our Games Act]]''' or '''Pog Act''' is a proposed{{clarify\|proposed or passed}} California law, AB1921<ref>{{Cite_web \|author=LegiScan, Chris Ward \|title=CA AB1921 2025-2026 Regular Session \|url=https://legiscan.com/CA/bill/AB1921/2025 \|website=LegiScan \|date=12 February 2026 \|url-status=live}}</ref>, introduced by Chris Ward and backed by [[Stop Killing Games]], that aims to establish consumer protections for purchases of video games with functionalities that depends on online services. The bill would be added to the California Business and Professions Code and would apply to digital games that are made available for purchase starting from 1st January 2027.

	On 14 May 2026 the bill passed with 11 Ayes, 2 Nays and 2 Absent votes.<ref name="vote">{{Cite_web \|author=LegiScan \|title=Vote Results \|url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billVotesClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1921 \|website=LegiScan \|date=14 May 2026 \|url-status=live }}</ref>.		On 14 May 2026 the bill passed with 11 Ayes, 2 Nays and 2 Absent votes.<ref name="vote">{{Cite_web \|author=LegiScan \|title=Vote Results \|url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billVotesClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1921 \|website=LegiScan \|date=14 May 2026 \|url-status=live }}</ref>.

Tracerneo: clarification needed

2026-05-19T18:50:53Z

clarification needed

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:50, 19 May 2026
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	[[Protect Our Games Act]] or '''Pog Act''' is a proposed California law, AB1921<ref>{{Cite_web \|author=LegiScan, Chris Ward \|title=CA AB1921 2025-2026 Regular Session \|url=https://legiscan.com/CA/bill/AB1921/2025 \|website=LegiScan \|date=12 February 2026 \|url-status=live }}</ref>, introduced by Chris Ward that aims to establish consumer protections for purchases of video games with functionalities that depends on online services. The bill would be added to the California Business and Professions Code and would apply to digital games that are made available for purchase starting from 1st January 2027.		[[Protect Our Games Act]] or '''Pog Act''' is a proposed{{clarify\|proposed or passed}} California law, AB1921<ref>{{Cite_web \|author=LegiScan, Chris Ward \|title=CA AB1921 2025-2026 Regular Session \|url=https://legiscan.com/CA/bill/AB1921/2025 \|website=LegiScan \|date=12 February 2026 \|url-status=live}}</ref>, introduced by Chris Ward and backed by [[Stop Killing Games]], that aims to establish consumer protections for purchases of video games with functionalities that depends on online services. The bill would be added to the California Business and Professions Code and would apply to digital games that are made available for purchase starting from 1st January 2027.

			On 14 May 2026 the bill passed with 11 Ayes, 2 Nays and 2 Absent votes.<ref name="vote">{{Cite_web \|author=LegiScan \|title=Vote Results \|url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billVotesClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1921 \|website=LegiScan \|date=14 May 2026 \|url-status=live }}</ref>.

	==Definitions==		==Definitions==
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	==Result==		==Result==
	On 14 May 2026 the bill passed with 11 Ayes, 2 Nays and 2 Absent votes.<ref~~>{{Cite_web \|author=LegiScan \|title=Vote Results \|url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billVotesClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1921 \|website=LegiScan \|date=14 May 2026 \|url-status~~=~~live }}<~~/~~ref~~>.		On 14 May 2026 the bill passed with 11 Ayes, 2 Nays and 2 Absent votes.<ref name="vote"/>

	==See Also==		==See Also==

Linka at 17:39, 19 May 2026

2026-05-19T17:39:08Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:39, 19 May 2026
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	==Result==		==Result==
	On 14 May 2026 the bill passed with 11 Ayes, 2 Nays and 2 Absent votes.{{~~Citation needed~~}}		On 14 May 2026 the bill passed with 11 Ayes, 2 Nays and 2 Absent votes.<ref>{{Cite_web \|author=LegiScan \|title=Vote Results \|url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billVotesClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1921 \|website=LegiScan \|date=14 May 2026 \|url-status=live }}</ref>.

	==See Also==		==See Also==

SinexTitan: missing citation

2026-05-19T16:12:50Z

missing citation

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:12, 19 May 2026
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	==Result==		==Result==
	On ~~the~~ 14 May 2026 the bill passed with 11 Ayes, 2 Nays and 2 Absent votes.		On 14 May 2026 the bill passed with 11 Ayes, 2 Nays and 2 Absent votes.{{Citation needed}}

	==See Also==		==See Also==

SinexTitan: d

2026-05-19T16:00:04Z

Tracerneo: styl.

2026-05-19T15:58:07Z

styl.

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:58, 19 May 2026
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	Protect Our Games Act or Pog Act is a proposed California law, AB1921<ref>{{Cite_web \|author=LegiScan, Chris Ward \|title=CA AB1921 2025-2026 Regular Session \|url=https://legiscan.com/CA/bill/AB1921/2025 \|website=LegiScan \|date=12 February 2026 \|url-status=live }}</ref>, introduced by Chris Ward that aims to establish consumer protections for purchases of video games with functionalities that depends on online services. The bill would be added to the California Business and Professions Code and would apply to digital games that are made available for purchase starting from 1st January 2027.		[[Protect Our Games Act]] or '''Pog Act''' is a proposed California law, AB1921<ref>{{Cite_web \|author=LegiScan, Chris Ward \|title=CA AB1921 2025-2026 Regular Session \|url=https://legiscan.com/CA/bill/AB1921/2025 \|website=LegiScan \|date=12 February 2026 \|url-status=live }}</ref>, introduced by Chris Ward that aims to establish consumer protections for purchases of video games with functionalities that depends on online services. The bill would be added to the California Business and Professions Code and would apply to digital games that are made available for purchase starting from 1st January 2027.

	==Definitions==		==Definitions==

Linka: Created first draft of the page

2026-05-19T15:08:47Z

Created first draft of the page

New page

Protect Our Games Act or Pog Act is a proposed California law, AB1921<ref>{{Cite_web |author=LegiScan, Chris Ward |title=CA AB1921 2025-2026 Regular Session |url=https://legiscan.com/CA/bill/AB1921/2025 |website=LegiScan |date=12 February 2026 |url-status=live }}</ref>, introduced by Chris Ward that aims to establish consumer protections for purchases of video games with functionalities that depends on online services. The bill would be added to the California Business and Professions Code and would apply to digital games that are made available for purchase starting from 1st January 2027.

==Definitions==
* Video games are defined as any digital game accessed through any gaming device, computer, mobile device or similar hardware capable of running the game and includes any extra downloadable content [[DLC|DLCs]] or add-ons.
* The bill defines a game studio developer, publisher or entity controlling the purchasers as "operator". The operator has control over authentication systems, [[DRM|DRMs]], server access, updates, etc.
* The bill defines the "ordinary use" as the ability to use the game's core features with reasonable consumer expectations at the time of purchase.

==Consumer notice requirements==
At least 60 days before ending service, the operator would be required to:

* Notify purchasers directly through the game.
* Post a public notice on the operator website.

The notice has to include:

* Shutdown date.
* The services that are being terminated.
* The features that will become unavailable.
* The security risks that are associated with the shutdown.
* Information for the players on how they may continue using the game or obtain a refund.

==Post shutdown obligations==
On the date of the shutdown, the publisher would be requires to provide one of the following:

* A version of the game playable without operator-controlled services.
* A patch or update for continued independent use without the operator.
* A full refund equal to the game's purchase price.
* The operator is prohibited from continuing to distribute versions of the game that cannot function independently.

==Exceptions==
The legislation would not apply to:

* Subscription based games where your game access has a clearly defined expiring date tied to your subscription period.
* Free to play games without monetary involvements.
* Games that are permanently downloadable for offline use and without revocable access.

==Industry Response==
{{Main|ESA comment on Protect Our Games Act}}
The [[Entertainment Software Association]] filed a comment against the bill<ref>{{Cite_web |author=Stop Killing Games |title=The Industry is lobbying against Stop Killing Games! (again) |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/StopKillingGames/comments/1t9ne7c/the_industry_is_lobbying_against_stop_killing/ |website=Reddit |date=11 May 2026 |url-status=live }}</ref>.

==Result==
On the 14 May 2026 the bill passed with 11 Ayes, 2 Nays and 2 Absent votes.

==See Also==
*[[Stop Killing Games]]
*[[Video game preservation]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Consumer activism]]
[[Category:Pro-consumer articles]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:00, 19 May 2026
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	==Definitions==		==Definitions==
	* Video games are defined as any digital game accessed through any gaming device, computer, mobile device or similar hardware capable of running the game and includes any extra downloadable content [[DLC\|DLCs]] or add-ons.		*Video games are defined as any digital game accessed through any gaming device, computer, mobile device or similar hardware capable of running the game and includes any extra downloadable content [[DLC\|DLCs]] or add-ons.
	* The bill defines a game studio developer, publisher or entity controlling the purchasers as "operator". The operator has control over authentication systems, [[DRM\|DRMs]], server access, updates, etc.		*The bill defines a game studio developer, publisher or entity controlling the purchasers as "operator". The operator has control over authentication systems, [[DRM\|DRMs]], server access, updates, etc.
	* The bill defines the "ordinary use" as the ability to use the game's core features with reasonable consumer expectations at the time of purchase.		*The bill defines the "ordinary use" as the ability to use the game's core features with reasonable consumer expectations at the time of purchase.

	==Consumer notice requirements==		==Consumer notice requirements==
	At least 60 days before ending service, the operator would be required to:		At least 60 days before ending service, the operator would be required to:

	* Notify purchasers directly through the game.		*Notify purchasers directly through the game.
	* Post a public notice on the operator website.		*Post a public notice on the operator website.

	The notice has to include:		The notice has to include:

	* Shutdown date.		*Shutdown date.
	* The services that are being terminated.		*The services that are being terminated.
	* The features that will become unavailable.		*The features that will become unavailable.
	* The security risks that are associated with the shutdown.		*The security risks that are associated with the shutdown.
	* Information for the players on how they may continue using the game or obtain a refund.		*Information for the players on how they may continue using the game or obtain a refund.

	==Post shutdown obligations==		==Post shutdown obligations==
	On the date of the shutdown, the publisher would be ~~requires~~ to provide one of the following:		On the date of the shutdown, the publisher would be required to provide one of the following:

	* A version of the game playable without operator-controlled services.		*A version of the game playable without operator-controlled services.
	* A patch or update for continued independent use without the operator.		*A patch or update for continued independent use without the operator.
	* A full refund equal to the game's purchase price.		*A full refund equal to the game's purchase price.
	* The operator is prohibited from continuing to distribute versions of the game that cannot function independently.		*The operator is prohibited from continuing to distribute versions of the game that cannot function independently.

	==Exceptions==		==Exceptions==
	The legislation would not apply to:		The legislation would not apply to:

	* Subscription based games where your game access has a clearly defined expiring date tied to your subscription period.		*Subscription based games where your game access has a clearly defined expiring date tied to your subscription period.
	* Free to play games without monetary involvements.		*Free to play games without monetary involvements.
	* Games that are permanently downloadable for offline use and without revocable access.		*Games that are permanently downloadable for offline use and without revocable access.

	==Industry Response==		==Industry Response==