California assembly passes AB 3060, the Protect Our Games Act

The California State Assembly voted 71‑13 to pass AB 3060, the Protect Our Games Act, on May 28, 2026 [Invenglobal][CA Leg]. The law requires any digital distribution platform that hosts video games to give developers at least 30 days’ written notice before removing a title and to provide a written appeal mechanism. Violations trigger civil penalties of $5,000 for the first offense and $10,000 for each subsequent offense per game [CA Leg].

AB 3060 was introduced by Assemblymember Maya Rios (D‑San Diego) after a coalition of indie studios and the California Gaming Association lobbied for due‑process protections. The bill defines “game” to include any interactive software that meets the Entertainment Software Rating Board’s criteria, closing a loophole that allowed platforms to label titles as “apps” to avoid regulation [Invenglobal].

The act has three immediate implications. First, platform compliance costs rise sharply. Google Play, Apple App Store and Steam must redesign removal workflows to meet the 30‑day notice rule; IDC estimates an engineering overhead of $12 million per platform in 2026‑2027 [Invenglobal]. Second, developers gain enforceable leverage. Studios now have a statutory right to contest removals, addressing takedowns that have historically crippled revenue streams for small teams [CA Leg]. Third, the act is the first statewide statute to require a formal removal process for games, establishing a model that other jurisdictions may reference [Invenglobal].

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Which platform’s compliance strategy will you watch most closely?

• Google Play’s policy overhaul
• Apple App Store’s developer‑rights team
• Steam’s community‑driven appeal process
• Nintendo eShop’s upcoming changes