● Covered by 4 sources · 4 reportsMedium impact4 neutral
NY Congressman Introduces Bill to Protect Digital Video Game Ownership
Key points
- Rep. Torres to introduce Power to the Players Act.
- Bill directs FTC to regulate digital game ownership.
- Aims to ensure offline play if servers shut down.
- Inspired by games like NBA 2K25 becoming unplayable.
- Rep. Torres represents New York's 15th congressional district.
- The bill aims to curb anti-consumer business practices.
- The bill ensures consumers can continue to access games for years after release.
- NBA 2K25 launched on September 6, 2025.
- NBA 2K25 is scheduled to become unplayable on December 31.
- Pennsylvania state senator John Kane introduced the Protect Our Games Act.
- Protect Our Games Act requires offline mode, community servers, or 25% minimum refund.
- Bill guarantees consumers own games, not license them.
- Bill mandates developers provide offline mode before server shutdown.
- NBA 2K25 will be delisted from storefronts at the end of the month.
- Sony plans to phase out physical game discs in 2028.
Proposed Legislation for Digital Game Ownership
Representative Ritchie Torres (D-NY) announced his intention to introduce the Power to the Players Act. This bill calls for the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to create regulations that protect consumers' ability to own and play video games they have purchased, rather than merely licensing them. The legislation aligns with the "Stop Killing Games" campaign, which advocates for stronger game ownership rights in the digital era.
Addressing the Impact of Digital Delistings and Server Shutdowns
The bill addresses concerns arising from games being removed from digital storefronts and their online servers being shut down, rendering them unplayable. NBA 2K25 is cited as a specific example; the game, released in 2024, will be delisted on October 30, 2024, and its online servers will be shut down in December, effectively making the purchased game unusable for its online features. The Power to the Players Act would mandate that companies offer an offline mode if a game's servers are discontinued.
Potential Broader Implications and Challenges
Torres suggested that successful implementation of this bill could pave the way for similar protections for other digitally purchased media, such as books, movies, and music. However, the bill faces potential obstacles, including the possibility of not passing through Congress, similar to a failed California state-level bill. Additionally, recent Supreme Court decisions, such as the overturning of Chevron deference, have reduced the FTC's regulatory power, which could complicate the agency's ability to enforce such regulations if challenged.
Updates
- Bill guarantees consumers own games, not license them.
- Bill mandates developers provide offline mode before server shutdown.
- NBA 2K25 will be delisted from storefronts at the end of the month.
- Sony plans to phase out physical game discs in 2028.
- Rep. Torres represents New York's 15th congressional district.
- The bill aims to curb anti-consumer business practices.
- The bill ensures consumers can continue to access games for years after release.
- NBA 2K25 launched on September 6, 2025.
- NBA 2K25 is scheduled to become unplayable on December 31.
- Pennsylvania state senator John Kane introduced the Protect Our Games Act.
- Protect Our Games Act requires offline mode, community servers, or 25% minimum refund.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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How outlets covered it
Representative Ritchie Torres introduced the Power To The Players Act, a bill that would direct the FTC to establish regulations ensuring consumers own video games they purchase, rather than merely licensing them. The bill also mandates developers provide an offline mode before shutting down game servers, addressing concerns about games becoming unplayable after server closures.
US Representative Ritchie Torres introduced the "Power to Players Act" to ensure consumers own video games they purchase, rather than just licensing them. The bill aims to prevent games from becoming unplayable due to server shutdowns, citing NBA 2K25 as an example, and directs the FTC to enforce these new regulations.
Representative Ritchie Torres introduced the Power To The Players Act, a bill directing the FTC to regulate video game ownership. This legislation aims to ensure consumers own games rather than just licenses, requiring offline modes for online games before server shutdowns.
Representative Ritchie Torres plans to introduce the Power to the Players Act, a bill directing the FTC to establish regulations ensuring consumers own, rather than license, purchased video games. This initiative aims to prevent situations where games become unplayable due to server shutdowns or delistings, as exemplified by NBA 2K25.