ESA Opposes California Bill Requiring Offline Play for Live-Service
The Entertainment Software Association is opposing new legislation in California that would require developers of online games that are shutting down to give lengthy notice beforehand, offer refunds, and make their games playable offline.
The Entertainment Software Association is opposing new legislation in California that would require developers of online games that are shutting down to give lengthy notice beforehand, offer refunds, and make their games playable offline.
The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) is against Assembly Bill 1921 in California, which mandates that developers of online games provide advance notice, refunds, and offline play options when shutting down. Proposed by Democratic Assemblymember Chris Ward, the bill stipulates that developers must inform players 60 days prior to service cessation and provide an alternative version, patch, update, or refund post-closure.
This bill's objectives align with Stop Killing Games, an online game preservation movement, and follow the closure of live-service games like Concord and Highguard, which were abruptly taken offline shortly after launch.
