# US legislative proposal for video game ownership

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-legislative-proposal-for-video-game-ownership
> Updated: 2026-10-18T08:00:03.000Z. Sources: 41. Developments: 2.

U.S. Representative Ritchie Torres has announced the ‘Power To The Players Act,’ a legislative proposal designed to protect consumer ownership of digital video games. The bill aims to transition the industry away from models where consumers purchase revocable licenses, which Torres characterized as ‘a rental disguised as a sale.’

If enacted, the legislation would direct the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to regulate digital ownership, ensuring players have the right to own, play, and transfer purchased titles. A central provision would require publishers to implement an offline mode for games with online functionality before their supporting servers are decommissioned, preventing titles from becoming unplayable. This addresses concerns regarding digital obsolescence, such as the 2024 case of Ubisoft’s ‘The Crew,’ which became unplayable following server closures.

The proposal specifically cites concerns regarding games like ‘NBA 2K25,’ noting that while some offline modes may remain, the shutdown of online services results in the loss of significant features. The act also seeks to protect the right to resell digital titles, challenging current business models used by major publishers and digital storefronts. The initiative arrives amid an industry shift away from physical media, highlighted by Sony’s plan to end PlayStation disc production by 2028. While the policy direction has been outlined, the formal legislative text has not yet been officially introduced in Congress.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-18: Ritchie Torres proposes Power To The Players Act for video game ownership

U.S. Representative Ritchie Torres has proposed the ‘Power To The Players Act’ to ensure digital game ownership and require offline modes before online servers are shut down.

18 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ritchie-torres-proposes-power-to-the-players-act-for-digital-game-ownership

### 2026-10-15: Ritchie Torres proposes US bill to ensure video game ownership

U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres has proposed the ‘Power To The Players Act’ to ensure gamers truly own their digital purchases, mandating offline modes and protecting resale rights.

24 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rep-ritchie-torres-introduces-digital-game-ownership-legislation

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Cite as: US legislative proposal for video game ownership. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-legislative-proposal-for-video-game-ownership