- US Congressman Ritchie Torres has introduced the proposed Power To The Players Act, a bill aimed at ensuring consumers legally own the video games they purchase rather than merely acquiring temporary licenses.
- The legislative push follows growing consumer frustration over digital-only game releases, such as the upcoming Grand Theft Auto 6 and Sony's shift away from physical media, which limit second-hand sales and allow developers to pull support.
- Torres cited examples like NBA 2K25, which retailed for up to $100 but faces server shutdowns just two years post-launch, calling such practices rentals disguised as sales.
- Unlike previous initiatives that demanded indefinite server upkeep, this bill requires developers to provide a fully playable offline mode before shutting down online servers to manage costs.
- If enacted, the law would restore historical ownership norms by granting buyers the right to own, play, and transfer their games even after official developer support ceases.
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