US lawmaker calls videogame purchases rentals disguised as sales: 'When you pay for a game, you should own it'
A US lawmaker proposes legislation to protect videogame ownership, arguing that online game shutdowns violate consumer rights and that purchased games should be fully owned rather than rented.
US Representative Ritchie Torres, a Democrat from New York City, announced plans to introduce the "Power To The Players Act," a bill aimed at safeguarding consumers' ability to own and play purchased games. The proposed law would direct the Federal Trade Commission to create regulations ensuring that games cannot be revoked or made unplayable by companies, framing such actions as deceptive practices. Torres argues that when players buy a game, they should have the right to own, play, and transfer it, not face sudden unavailability due to corporate decisions.
The issue of game ownership has gained prominence as digital distribution replaces physical copies, with Sony planning to halt disc production in 2028. Online games that are decommissioned before players finish them have drawn increased scrutiny, particularly from campaigns like Stop Killing Games, which advocates for offline functionality even after online services shut down. The bill seeks to address these concerns by requiring offline modes to remain accessible when online components are retired.
The Stop Killing Games campaign has highlighted cases such as Ubisoft's racing game The Crew, which went offline in 2024, preventing players from accessing even its single-player content. The campaign has also engaged with European policymakers, including a meeting with the European Parliament earlier this year. The proposed legislation aims to shift the current model of revocable licenses toward genuine ownership, though it may not eliminate digital rights management entirely.
While digital rights management-free games like those sold on GOG.com allow for true ownership through local files, most modern games rely on DRM. If passed, the bill would likely define ownership in a way that balances consumer rights with industry practices, though enforcement details remain unclear. The Federal Trade Commission would play a central role in interpreting and implementing the new regulations if the bill becomes law.