GoKawiilPennsylvania bill would force publishers to keep games playable after shutdown
State Sen. John Kane has introduced the Protect Our Games Act in Pennsylvania, which would require video game publishers to give 60 days' notice before cutting off access to a title. Companies would then have to offer offline play, a server-independent patch, or a refund based on the game's highest price over the past year, capped at no less than 25% of its original cost.
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The bill responds to growing anxiety, amplified by Sony's plan to stop producing physical discs by 2028, over what happens to digital games when publishers shut down servers or delist titles. It aligns with the broader Stop Killing Games movement already gaining traction in the EU and California, and could push other states to consider similar consumer protections if it advances. Still, the measure is early-stage and would not change the fact that buyers hold a license rather than outright ownership of a game.
- Pennsylvania's proposed Protect Our Games Act requires 60 days' notice before ending game access.
- Publishers would need to offer offline play, a server-independent patch, or a partial refund.
- The bill is in early stages and mirrors the international Stop Killing Games campaign.
PlayStation 5 Disc Edition Console — With Sony phasing out physical disc production, owning a disc-drive PS5 now is a smart way to keep control over your game library instead of relying on servers that could vanish. Physical copies let you play, resell, or lend games without worrying about digital delisting or shutdowns, directly addressing the concerns raised by this proposed bill.
See PlayStation 5 Disc Edition Console on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: tomshardware.com — Jowi Morales, 2026-09-28
Published there as: “Proposed Pennsylvania law targets publishers that kill digital games”
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