Democratic Rep. Ritchie Torres is introducing legislation to ensure you own your digital games, rather than just purchasing a license giving you permission to play them.
The bill, known as The Power to the Players Act, would direct the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to establish regulations that would protect gamers and their digital libraries. In short, Torres wants to make sure that when you buy a digital game, you actually own it, instead of getting a license that can be revoked. Additionally, the bill would require online games to have offline functionality, so that when servers are shut down, content can still be played by those who own the game.
“Consumers must have the right to own, the right to play, and the right to transfer the games they purchase,” Torres said in a press release. “A game that can be removed as soon as a company pulls the plug is not a purchase. It’s a rental disguised as a sale. Families in the Bronx and across the country are saving to buy these games, and they deserve better than a license that can disappear at any time. The Power To The Players Act ensures that consumers own what they buy and can continue playing long after the company leaves.”
Torres took the example of NBA 2K25, a game that recently announced it would make single-player modes inaccessible due to server shutdowns. The news attracted widespread attention, as many wondered why a game that was only two years old was becoming obsolete so quickly.
Torres’ bill addresses ongoing controversies in the industry. Earlier this year, it was confirmed that PlayStation would abandon physical games starting in 2028, which would mean that players would not be able to truly own their games starting next generation. GTA 6 will also skip a physical release in November, meaning there will be no used copies of the game after release. It’s a slippery slope that players have been struggling on for some time now.
The Stop Killing Games movement is fighting to make games more accessible to their current owners, even after the servers are shut down. Torress’ bill would ensure they get what they want, at least in the United States. Of course, it will remain to be seen whether this bill makes it across the finish line, but it is a noble effort and shows that someone is trying to make something happen.
Cade Onder is a freelancer for IGN’s news team. It covers all things entertainment, including games, movies, and more. You can find him on Twitter @Cade_Onder.
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