GoKawiilNY Rep. Ritchie Torres introduces bill requiring game ownership rights
U.S. Representative Ritchie Torres (D-NY) is introducing the Power To The Players Act, which would direct the FTC to write rules guaranteeing that buyers of digital video games own more than a revocable license. The bill would also require games with online features to include offline modes that keep working after servers shut down. Torres cited 2K Games' decision to delist NBA 2K25 and shut its servers by January 2027 as an example of the problem he wants to fix.
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The proposal targets a growing industry practice of selling games as purchases while treating them legally as rentals, which leaves consumers with nothing once publishers stop supporting a title. Because the bill excludes other digital media like movies and music despite similar complaints, its scope could be seen as narrow even if passed. Its prospects remain uncertain since Torres has not named any cosponsors or indicated Republican support.
- Torres's Power To The Players Act would have the FTC regulate digital game ownership rights.
- Publishers would need to offer offline modes for games once online servers are shut down.
- The bill excludes movies and music, and no cosponsors have been confirmed yet.
Source: news.slashdot.org — Posted, 2026-10-18
Published there as: “New Video Game Law Proposed: 'If You Pay For It, You Own It'”
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