'Consumers Must Have the Right to Own' — A Congressman Is Introducing a Bill to Get Rid of Digital Game Licenses and Give Players Total Ownership
The bill would require offline play for games with online features and give consumers more than revocable licenses as publishers pull titles from storefronts.
- Democratic Congressman Ritchie Torres announced plans to introduce The Players Act, legislation directing the Federal Trade Commission to establish regulations ensuring consumers own the digital games they purchase rather than merely licensing them.
- Mounting consumer frustration over expiring licenses prompted the proposal, specifically citing an NBA game that launched in 2024 for $70 but faces server shutdowns rendering single-player modes inaccessible after two years.
- Torres described the bill as a "restoration to the historical norm" of ownership and framed it as an "affordability issue" for families. The legislation mandates offline functionality for games when servers eventually shut down.
- While the proposal reflects goals from the Stop Killing Games movement, it faces significant legislative hurdles; roughly 87 percent of all introduced legislation never receives a full vote, and major publishers are expected to lobby against restrictions.
- Should the bill succeed, Torres envisions it serving as a model for codifying ownership rights across other digital media. Future releases like Grand Theft Auto underscore the urgency, as physical copies become increasingly rare.
21 Articles
21 Articles
Congress Takes Aim at Digital Game Licenses as NBA 2K25 Heads for the Delete Key
Rep. Ritchie Torres' Power to the Players Act seeks FTC rules granting true ownership of purchased video games, requiring offline modes before server shutdowns. NBA 2K25's imminent delisting spotlights the issue. The proposal builds on frustrated consumer campaigns and could reshape digital sales if it advances.
Rep. Torres Announces Power To The Players Act, Legislation to Ensure Gamers Own Their Games
Today, Rep. Ritchie Torres (NY-15) announced he will introduce the Power To The Players Act, legislation that would direct the Federal Trade Commission to establish regulations protecting consumers’ ability to own and play the video games they purchase. Over the past few years, video game companies have moved toward digital-only games and consoles, removing the […]
'Consumers Must Have the Right to Own' — A Congressman Is Introducing a Bill to Get Rid of Digital Game Licenses and Give Players Total Ownership
Democratic Congressman Ritchie Torres is introducing legislation that aims to ensure you own your digital games, rather than having a license.
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