Representative Ritchie Torres introduced the Power To The Players Act, directing the FTC to establish regulations ensuring consumer ownership of purchased video games and mandating offline modes before online servers shut down.
Representative Richie Torres announced the introduction of the Power To The Players Act. If passed, the bill would give consumers actual ownership of a video game, not just a license to use it. It would also require games that rely on online features to have an offline mode before the infrastructure that supports them is shut down.
The goal is to protect consumers' ability to own, play and transfer their games. As an example of bad practice in the industry, Torres cited NBA 2K25, which was released on September 6, 2024 for $69,99, is set to be removed from stores on October 30 and shut down on December 31.
Pressure from players and developments in other countries
The move follows the online movement Stop Killing Games, which is pressuring governments to end game-killing practices. The movement began when Ubisoft stopped supporting and removed the 2014 game The Crew from release.
READ ALSO
TikTok has permanently blocked ads for Elon Musk's new documentary
In Europe, the European Commission rejected legislation in June 2026 that would have required games to remain functional, opting instead for a voluntary code of conduct. A similar bill in the United States, the Protect Our Games Act, failed to pass a California Senate committee in June 2026, but may be brought back for consideration in 2027.
G
Hacks.gr on Google
Set it as a preferred source for cybersecurity updates.
Preferred source
Top comments (0)