Rep. Torres introduces bill to guarantee video game ownership instead of licensing
The Power To The Players Act would direct the FTC to establish regulations ensuring consumers own purchased games outright rather than operating under license agreements.
What happened
Rep. Ritchie Torres of New York's 15th congressional district introduced the Power To The Players Act this week. The bill would direct the Federal Trade Commission to establish regulations guaranteeing consumers ownership of games when they pay for them, rather than licensing agreements. The legislation would also require developers to institute offline modes before shutting down supporting servers. Torres cited NBA 2K25 as a recent example, noting that 2K is delisting the game from storefronts and shutting down servers on December 31st, which will limit its playability.
Context
Video game ownership has become a contested issue as server-dependent games become unplayable when companies shut down supporting infrastructure, effectively making purchase conditional on indefinite corporate server maintenance. The bill addresses a pattern where consumers pay full purchase prices but lack ownership rights or the ability to play games offline once support ends. This concern has been amplified by Sony's announcement of plans to phase out physical game discs by 2028, shifting the market further toward digital-only, server-dependent distribution. A similar state-level proposal, Pennsylvania's Protect Our Games Act, would require companies to provide offline modes, independent online servers, or minimum refunds when titles are discontinued. The stakes concern both immediate access and consumer rights to played and purchased content.