Today, Rep. Ritchie Torres (NY-15) announced he will introduce the Power To The Players Act, legislation that would direct the Federal Trade Commission to establish regulations protecting consumers’ ability to own and play the video games they purchase.
Over the past few years, video game companies have moved toward digital-only games and consoles, removing the option to buy or use physical games. These digital games are often sold as revocable licenses rather than owned outright, leaving players dependent on the company’s continued support. NBA 2K25 is a clear example. The game, which retailed for $69.99 for the standard edition and $99.99 for the All-Star Edition, will be delisted from digital storefronts on October 30 and will have its online servers shut down on December 31, only two years after its initial release. No consumer should have a game they paid for pulled out from under them on a company’s arbitrary timeline.
“When you pay for a game, you should own it,” said Rep. Torres. “Consumers must have the right to own, the right to play, and the right to transfer the games they buy. A game that can be taken away the moment a company pulls the plug is not a purchase. It is a rental disguised as a sale. Families in the Bronx and across the country save up to buy these games, and they deserve better than a license that can vanish at any time. The Power To The Players Act ensures consumers own what they buy and can keep playing long after a company moves on.”
Under the bill, buying a video game would give the consumer ownership of the game rather than a license to play it. Games with online functionality would also be required to provide an offline mode before the servers supporting them are shut down.
The legislation aims to close the gap between buying a game and owning it. By preserving consumers’ ability to own and resell their games, the bill would ensure that players can keep playing the games they paid for with friends and family for years to come.
