US Rep Announces Congressional Legislation to Protect Video Game Ownership

On October 15, 2026, Representative Ritchie Torres unveiled the Power to the Players Act, a proposal that would direct the Federal Trade Commission to write regulations ensuring people who buy video games actually own them. The measure responds to a steady industry shift toward digital-only releases and sales framed as revocable licenses, which leave players dependent on publishers’ ongoing support. Torres cites NBA 2K25 as an example: despite retail prices of $69.99 and $99.99 for premium editions, the game is scheduled to be removed from storefronts and have its online servers shut down within two years of release. That pattern, he argues, turns purchases into time-limited rentals and deprives families who save up for games of lasting value.

The bill would legally convert a game purchase into ownership rather than a license, preserve consumers’ ability to resell or transfer titles, and require that games with online features offer an offline mode before servers are turned off. By closing the gap between buying and owning, the legislation aims to keep players able to use and share the games they paid for long after publishers move on, while giving regulators a framework to enforce those consumer protections.