Introduction

A new piece of federal legislation aims to redefine how video game purchases are treated, ensuring that buying a game actually means owning it rather than holding a revocable license.

What Happened

Rep. Ritchie Torres of New York introduced the Power To The Players Act this week, directing the Federal Trade Commission to establish regulations that guarantee consumers true ownership of games they pay for. The bill responds to growing concerns that many titles disappear when publishers shut down servers.

Why This Matters

Many modern games require constant server connections, and when those go offline, players lose access entirely. The bill cites NBA 2K25 as a recent example, where the title will be delisted and its servers shut down on December 31st, limiting playability. The legislation also references Sony’s plan to phase out physical discs by 2028.

Key Takeaways

  • The bill would require developers to provide an offline mode before discontinuing server support.
  • It draws inspiration from Pennsylvania’s Protect Our Games Act, which mandates offline modes, server-independent online modes, or a minimum 25 percent refund when titles are sunset.
  • Rep. Torres emphasized that a game able to be taken away is not a purchase - it is a rental disguised as a sale.

Conclusion

If passed, the Power To The Players Act could fundamentally shift the relationship between gamers and their libraries, ensuring that a purchase is permanent rather than temporary. The bill’s progress will be closely watched by both the industry and the player community.