Key information
In 2026, the debate regarding digital game ownership has intensified following Sony's decision to cease physical production for PS5. Addressing concerns that digital purchases are merely disguised rentals, U.S. Representative Ritchie Torres has introduced the Power to the Players Act to ensure consumers truly own their software.
The proposed legislation tasks the Federal Trade Commission with creating regulations that protect the rights of users to keep, play, and transfer their purchased titles. Furthermore, the bill aims to mandate that online games maintain offline functionality once their official servers are eventually shut down.
Torres highlighted NBA 2K25 as a problematic example, noting that the title will be removed from storefronts on October 30, 2026, and will lose access to specific single-player modes when servers close on December 31, 2026. This situation underscores the frustration of losing access to paid content.
While the initiative seeks to redefine digital sales, it faces a difficult path forward. Similar to the Stop Killing Games movement in Europe, the bill is expected to encounter significant opposition from industry lobbies aiming to protect current corporate practices regarding digital licensing.
