Politics · United States · 1 hr ago
US lawmaker proposes bill to protect ownership of digital games
US Representative Ritchie Torres introduced the Power to the Players Act to protect people who buy digital games.
The bill would direct the Federal Trade Commission to make rules so buyers own games rather than holding licenses that companies can revoke.
It would also require online games to have offline functionality, so players can keep using them after servers shut down.
Torres pointed to NBA 2K25, whose single-player modes are set to become inaccessible when its servers close.
The proposal addresses concerns that buyers can lose access to games they paid for when companies end online services.
It also connects to the Stop Killing Games movement, which campaigns for players to retain access after servers close.
The bill still needs to advance through the US legislative process before its protections could take effect.
US Representative Ritchie Torres has proposed the Power To The Players Act to protect ownership of digital games.
The bill would direct the Federal Trade Commission to set rules for consumers’ rights to own, play and transfer games they buy.
It would also require online games to offer offline functionality before their servers are shut down.
Torres says games that companies can make unplayable are effectively rentals disguised as sales.
- Who
- US Representative Ritchie Torres, a Democrat from New York City.
- What
- He proposed the Power To The Players Act to protect consumers’ ownership and access to digital games.
- When
- He announced the proposal on October 15, 2026, according to the articles published that day and the following day.
- Where
- The proposal concerns the United States.
- Why
- Torres says consumers should be able to own and keep playing games they buy, including after companies shut down servers.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Ubisoft’s The Crew went offline, preventing purchasers from playing its single-player campaign.
The Stop Killing Games campaign’s founder and an organizer gained an audience with the European Parliament.
Torres announced the Power To The Players Act.
- Sponsor
- Ritchie Torres, a Democratic US representative from New York City
- Bill
- Power To The Players Act
- Proposed role
- Directs the Federal Trade Commission to establish regulations
- Offline access
- Would require offline functionality for online games before servers are shut down
- Example
- The Crew went offline in 2024
3 sources
What people are saying
A game that can be taken away the moment a company pulls the plug is not a purchase.
When you pay for a game, you should own it.
Consumers must have the right to own, the right to play, and the right to transfer the games they buy.