Key information
A new legislative proposal in the United States, titled The Power to the Players Act, seeks to redefine consumer rights regarding digital video games. Introduced by Democratic Congressman Ritchie Torres, the initiative aims to ensure that users possess actual ownership of their digital purchases rather than merely holding temporary licenses that companies can revoke without notice.
The proposed act would empower the Federal Trade Commission to establish regulations protecting digital libraries. A core component of the bill addresses the concerns raised by the Stop Killing Games movement, specifically requiring that online titles include offline modes to remain playable after official servers are shut down.
Congressman Torres argues that current industry practices amount to rentals disguised as sales. He highlighted the case of NBA 2K25, which loses most of its modes, including single-player content, once servers are deactivated. The legislation intends to guarantee that consumers retain the right to play and transfer their acquired games even after developer support ends.
While the future of this proposal remains uncertain, the debate surrounding digital ownership is gaining political momentum. The efforts of advocacy groups like Stop Killing Games have successfully brought these consumer rights issues to the forefront of discussions in both the United States and Europe.
