ESA Calls Minecraft, Call of Duty Community Servers Illegal as California Bill Falls 3 Votes Short
Updated
Updated · 80.lv · Jul 1
ESA Calls Minecraft, Call of Duty Community Servers Illegal as California Bill Falls 3 Votes Short
3 articles · Updated · 80.lv · Jul 1
Summary
ESA said community servers for games including Minecraft and Call of Duty amount to "piracy," arguing unauthorized hosts infringe publishers' IP and fail to meet publisher safety standards.
Jennifer Gibbons made the case during debate over California's Protect Our Games Act, which sought ways to keep purchased games playable after official servers shut down and had pointed to fan-run servers as one option.
Dexerto noted Minecraft's Java Edition EULA says buyers can install the server version and host online play, sharpening criticism of ESA's blanket characterization of community servers as illegal.
AB 1921 stalled in a Senate committee after falling 3 votes short; Stop Killing Games said the volunteer campaign still pushed the bill through the Assembly 43-16 and plans to return next session.
The group now aims to expand beyond California with funding, in-person lobbying and broader developer backing, setting up a wider fight over game ownership and preservation.