US Rep proposes bill for video game buyers to own, not license, games

Key facts

• The "Power to Players Act" aims to grant consumers ownership of video games.
• Games that are normally online-only would need to offer offline modes.
• NBA 2K25 is cited as an example of a game becoming unplayable due to server shutdowns.

US Representative Ritchie Torres has proposed the "Power to Players Act," a bill aimed at ensuring consumers truly own the video games they purchase, rather than merely holding a license to play them. The legislation seeks to address issues where games become inaccessible, such as NBA 2K25, which is slated to become unplayable on December 31, 2025, due to server shutdowns, despite its September 6, 2025, launch. Torres stated that consumers should have the right to own, play, and transfer games they buy, likening a license that can vanish to a rental disguised as a sale. The bill directs the FTC to take action to prevent such outcomes. This proposal emerges amidst a broader movement advocating for game preservation and ownership, with consumers protesting Sony's move away from physical media and highlighting that even physical discs often require online servers and are subject to revocable licenses.