US Lawmaker Proposes "Power To The Players Act" to Protect Video Game Ownership
US Representative Ritchie Torres is set to introduce new congressional legislation aimed at fundamentally changing how digital video game purchases work in America. Dubbed the "Power To The Players Act," the bill targets the widespread industry practice of selling games as licenses rather than true purchases, with Torres arguing that consumers are effectively being handed "rentals disguised as sales." His position is clear: "When you pay for a game, you should own it."
The proposed legislation would put an end to digital game licenses as they currently exist, meaning publishers and platform holders could no longer revoke access to games players have paid for. The bill also extends protections to online games that are decommissioned, a growing concern as live-service titles and always-online games are increasingly shut down, leaving paying customers with nothing to show for their investment. If passed, the Act would represent one of the most significant consumer-rights interventions in the history of the games industry.
Key Insights
- 1Representative Ritchie Torres is introducing the 'Power To The Players Act,' a congressional bill aimed at protecting video game ownership rights.
- 2The bill would effectively end the practice of selling digital games as licenses, pushing for true ownership instead.
- 3Protections under the proposed Act would extend to online games that are shut down or decommissioned after purchase.
- 4Torres has framed current digital game sales as 'rentals disguised as sales,' arguing consumers deserve real ownership for their money.
- 5If passed, this would mark a landmark moment for consumer rights in the games industry, potentially forcing major changes from publishers and platform holders.
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