Rep. Ritchie Torres (NY-15) announced plans to introduce the Power To The Players Act, legislation designed to protect consumers’ ownership rights over video games they purchase.
According to Torres’ announcement, video game companies have increasingly shifted toward digital-only games and consoles, eliminating physical game purchases. These digital games are typically sold as revocable licenses rather than owned outright, making players dependent on continued company support. The legislation would direct the Federal Trade Commission to establish regulations that treat video game purchases as ownership rather than licenses.
Torres cited NBA 2K25 as an example of the problem. 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, with online servers shut down on December 31—only two years after initial release. “When you pay for a game, you should own it,” Torres stated. “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.”
Under the proposed bill, purchasing a video game would grant consumers ownership rather than a license to play. The legislation would also require games with online functionality to provide an offline mode before servers supporting them are shut down. This approach aims to preserve consumers’ ability to own and resell their games, allowing players to continue playing titles they purchased long after companies discontinue support.
Torres emphasized that families frequently save to purchase games and deserve protections against losing access to products they’ve paid for. The bill seeks to close the gap between buying a game and maintaining long-term ownership and access rights, enabling players to continue enjoying games with friends and family for years after purchase.
Key facts
- Rep. Ritchie Torres plans to introduce the Power To The Players Act to protect video game ownership
- The legislation would direct the FTC to establish regulations requiring games be sold as ownership rather than licenses
- NBA 2K25 will be delisted from digital storefronts on October 30 and have servers shut down on December 31, only two years after release
- The bill would require online games to provide offline modes before server shutdowns
- The standard edition of NBA 2K25 retailed for $69.99, with the All-Star Edition at $99.99