Caring for Gamers: Official Proposes Obligating Gaming Companies to Warn of Server Shutdowns 60 Days in Advance and Issue Refunds

Senator John Kane has two more options for companies like Ubisoft, who like to shut down their game servers. Kane also mentioned Sony with its plans to abandon discs.

A bill has been proposed in Pennsylvania that could obligate video game publishers to warn players at least 60 days before discontinuing access to a purchased game. Senator John Kane initiated the Protect Our Games Act. The document has not yet been officially introduced for consideration in the State Senate.

According to a memorandum published on the Senate website, if a company intends to cease support for a digital game or alter its functions in a way that restricts access, it must notify buyers in advance. After that, the publisher is offered to provide players with at least one of three options.

The first is the ability to continue playing offline. The second is to release a patch that will allow the game to be used online independently of the official servers and network services of the company. The third option is a refund. Its amount must correspond to the maximum price at which the digital version of the game was sold within 12 months before the service ceased operation, and the amount cannot be less than 25% of the original cost of the game.

The requirements do not apply to subscription services where access to the game is initially provided only for the duration of the subscription. Exceptions are also provided for some free games and projects to which the seller cannot revoke access after purchase, for example, if the game was provided for permanent download and offline use.

In the memorandum, Kane links the initiative to the problem of digital game ownership. In his opinion, purchasing a digital version often actually means acquiring a license to use, rather than a permanent copy of the game. Separately, the senator mentions Sony's announced discontinuation of PlayStation game disc production from 2028.