Video game ownership bill introduced in Congress
The Power To The Players Act, introduced by Rep. Ritchie Torres of New York’s 15th congressional district, aims to establish federal protections for video game consumers. The proposed legislation would direct the Federal Trade Commission to create regulations ensuring that when consumers purchase a video game, they own it outright rather than simply acquiring a license to play it.
The bill addresses a growing industry practice where games require persistent server connections to function. When publishers decide to shut down these servers, the games often become completely unplayable, effectively rendering consumers’ purchases worthless. This has become increasingly common, particularly with online multiplayer titles and live-service games.
The bill’s introduction comes as 2K Games prepares to delist NBA 2K25 from digital storefronts and shut down its servers, making the game unplayable for those who purchased it. This recent high-profile example illustrates the core issue the legislation seeks to address.
The Power To The Players Act represents a legislative effort to protect consumer rights in digital game ownership and prevent publishers from unilaterally rendering purchased products unplayable.