Today, Rep. Ritchie Torres (NY-15) announced he will introduce the Power To The Players Act, legislation that would direct the Federal Trade Commission to establish regulations protecting consumers’ ability to own and play the video games they purchase.
Over the past few years, video game companies have moved toward digital-only games and consoles, removing the option to buy or use physical games. These digital games are often sold as revocable licenses rather than owned outright, leaving players dependent on the company’s continued support. NBA 2K25 is a clear example. The game, which retailed for $69.99 for the standard edition and $99.99 for the All-Star Edition, will be delisted from digital storefronts on October 30 and will have its online servers shut down on December 31, only two years after its initial release. No consumer should have a game they paid for pulled out from under them on a company’s arbitrary timeline.
