US Rep. Ritchie Torres proposed the Power to Players Act, which would direct the FTC to ensure that purchasing a video game grants consumers ownership rather than a revocable license. The bill is inspired by cases like NBA 2K25, which will become unplayable after online server shutdowns in December 2025. Torres frames the legislation as a return to the historical norm of game ownership that existed in the 1990s.
Background
The debate over digital ownership in gaming has intensified as publishers increasingly rely on online-only experiences and server-dependent features. Sony's recent decision to discontinue physical PlayStation game releases has further fueled consumer activism around the issue.
- Source
- Ars Technica
- Published
- Oct 17, 2026 at 03:41 AM
- Score
- 7.0 / 10