Key information
Democratic Congressman Ritchie Torres has introduced a legislative proposal in the United States titled The Power to the Players Act. This initiative aims to ensure that consumers possess actual ownership of their physical and digital video games, rather than merely holding a license to use them.
The proposed bill would mandate that the Federal Trade Commission establish regulations to safeguard user libraries. A key requirement for companies would be the inclusion of an offline functionality, allowing players to access purchased content without a mandatory internet connection.
Torres emphasized that consumers should have the right to own, play, and transfer their purchased titles, citing NBA 2K25 as a relevant example. The congressman argues that these protections are necessary to prevent the loss of access to games that users have bought.
The proposal is currently in the initial stages of the legislative process and must undergo review and debate by a House of Representatives committee. If passed, it would proceed to the Senate and eventually the President. While this development is specific to the United States, it could establish a significant global precedent if enacted.
