Representative Ritchie Torres (D-NY) has announced plans to introduce federal legislation aimed at protecting consumers' ownership rights for video games. The proposed bill, dubbed the "Power To The Players Act," seeks to establish regulations that would prevent companies from rendering purchased digital games unplayable once online servers are shut down or by revoking licenses.
Torres stated his intention to propose the legislation after highlighting instances where games, such as NBA 2K25, become largely inaccessible despite significant consumer investment. "I think there should be a simple rule: if you pay for it, you own it," Torres told Kotaku. He believes that games requiring ongoing server support to function, or whose licenses can expire, are effectively rentals disguised as sales. The bill would direct the Federal Trade Commission to create rules ensuring players have more than a temporary license and that games with online features retain offline functionality.
This legislative push aligns with growing calls from advocacy groups like Stop Killing Games, which have been campaigning against the practice of selling titles that become defunct when online support ceases. The movement has gained traction amid broader industry shifts, including the reported end of physical disc production for Sony's next PlayStation console generation and the increasing prevalence of digital-only releases, such as Grand Theft Auto 6 which will be sold as a download code in a box.
"Consumers must have the right to own, the right to play, and the right to transfer the games they buy," Torres said in a press release. He emphasized that families spend considerable amounts of money on these games and deserve permanent access. The representative views the bill as a restoration of historical norms in game ownership, recalling a time when purchased games remained playable indefinitely. He also framed it as an issue of affordability, particularly as game prices rise.
While the Power To The Players Act specifically targets video games, Torres suggested it could serve as a model for protecting ownership rights in other digital media sectors in the future. The legislation faces a lengthy process through congressional committees, and the extent of publisher lobbying against such restrictions remains to be seen. Torres did not confirm if the bill will have bipartisan support or cosponsors at this stage.