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The Growing Fight to Preserve Online Multiplayer Games When publishers like BioWare, Electronic Arts and Activision Blizzard pull the plug on servers for titles such as Anthem, The Sims Mobile and Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile, players lose access to games they paid for. In response, the activist network Stop Killing Games has launched a coordinated campaign to secure legal guarantees that online games remain playable after commercial support ends. Activist Group’s Campaigns and Legal Tactics Founded in 2024 by YouTuber Ross Scott after Ubisoft announced the shutdown of The Crew, Stop Killing Games has pursued multiple avenues: European Citizens’ Initiative petition demanding EU‑wide consumer protection. Joint lawsuit with a French consumer group over Ubisoft’s handling of The Crew. Successful petition that led to a debate in the UK Parliament. Direct meetings with European Commissioners and Video Games Europe on 3 June 2026. Letter signed by 45 European Parliament members urging action from the European Commission. Scale of Server Shutdowns in Early 2026 According to the article, the first half of 2026 saw dozens of online titles go offline, including: Anthem – servers closed January 2026 The Sims Mobile – discontinued January 2026 Highguard – servers shuttered March 2026 Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile – taken offline April 2026 These closures illustrate a broader industry trend of ending support for live‑service games without providing alternatives for owners. Policy Ripples Across Europe and the United States The European Commission replied that existing copyright law prevents a mandatory “keep‑games‑playable” rule, but it will work with publishers on a voluntary “code of conduct” for end‑of‑life management. In the United States, the group helped pass the Protect Our Games Act in the California Assembly in June 2026, which now moves to the state Senate. The bill would require advance notice before a game is taken offline and obligate publishers to offer a way for owners to continue playing, applying to purchased games released after January 2027. Outlook: Toward Formalized Game‑Preservation Legislation Stop Killing Games expects the European “Digital Fairness Act” slated for debate this summer to incorporate its proposals, and its leaders are optimistic about the California bill’s chances in the Senate. If successful, these measures could set a precedent for other states and regions, prompting a wave of consumer‑protection laws that treat online‑only games as durable digital goods rather than disposable services.

A groundbreaking analysis has revealed that 37% of conventional California produce contains toxic Pfas pesticide residues. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) conducted the study, which coincided with the introduction of California legislation aimed at banning Pfas from being used as active ingredients in pesticides by 2035.The analysis of California department of pesticide regulation residue testing records found that about 90% of peaches, plums, and nectarines contained Pfas residues, while 80% of strawberries and grapes showed contamination. These findings are particularly alarming as children are most at risk from the toxic effects of Pfas, and commonly eat fruits like grapes and strawberries.Pfas are a class of at least 16,000 compounds used to make products resistant to water, stains, and heat. They are called "forever chemicals" because they do not naturally break down and accumulate, and are linked to cancer, kidney disease, liver problems, immune disorders, birth defects, and other serious health problems.The EWG analyzed records for 930 samples across 78 types of non-organic, California-grown fruits and vegetables. The results showed that 348 samples, or 37%, contained Pfas residues, with at least half of all produce varieties treated with Pfas pesticides.The proposed legislation in California would ban the use of Pfas as an active ingredient in pesticides by 2035 and place a moratorium on approvals of new Pfas pesticides. The bill's author, California assemblymember Nick Schultz, stated that he doesn't want his kids "eating strawberries contaminated with chemicals that will stay in their bodies for decades."The pesticide industry is expected to mount a strong campaign against the legislation, but Maine and Minnesota have already passed similar bans, making it more likely to pass in California.