Tech
US Rep proposes bill to give video game buyers "ownership," not "a license"
Publication: Ars Technica - All content
Author: Samuel Axon
Source published: 16/10/2026, 19:41:18 UTC
Briefing created: 16/10/2026, 21:08:45 UTC
Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 16/10/2026, 20:43:24 UTC.
Briefings
A proposed bill, the Power to Players Act, aims to prevent video game licenses from becoming unplayable due to server shutdowns. Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY) introduced this legislation to ensure consumers retain ownership of games like NBA 2K25, which launched in September 2025 but faces a December 2025 server shutdown. The bill directs the FTC to enforce regulations ensuring games remain accessible post-release.
Key points
- The Power to Players Act directs the FTC to prevent video game licenses from becoming unplayable due to server shutdowns.
- NBA 2K25 launched on September 6, 2025, but is scheduled to become unplayable on December 31, 2025, due to server shutdowns.
Context
This legislation addresses a specific market failure where game licenses become inaccessible after release, as seen with NBA 2K25's planned server shutdown.
Limitations
Evidence is limited to the proposed bill's text and one specific game example; no broader historical context or comparative data is supplied.
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