Rep. Ritchie Torres of New York introduced the Power To The Players Act this week, proposing federal regulations to address growing concerns about video game ownership and playability. The bill would direct the Federal Trade Commission to establish rules ensuring that consumers own games outright rather than purchasing licenses when they buy a title.
The measure responds to an industry practice where games require ongoing server connections to function. When companies shut down these servers, the games often become unplayable to consumers. The congressman cited NBA 2K25 as a contemporary example, noting that 2K will delist the game from digital storefronts later this month and shut down its servers on December 31st, effectively ending the game’s functionality.
The bill’s introduction follows Sony’s recent announcement of plans to phase out physical game discs in 2028, which sparked broader discussions about consumer rights and digital ownership. Torres stated in his announcement that a game that can be rendered unplayable upon a company’s decision should not be considered a purchase, characterizing current arrangements as rentals presented as sales.
Beyond establishing ownership rights, the proposed legislation would require developers to implement offline gameplay functionality prior to shutting down server support. This approach mirrors the Protect Our Games Act, previously introduced by Pennsylvania State Sen. John Kane, which would mandate that companies either provide offline modes, maintain independent online functionality, or issue refunds of at least 25 percent when games are discontinued.
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