US Rep proposes bill to give video game buyers "ownership," not "a license"
There are still significant hurdles ahead, both technical and legislative.
TL;DR
- Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY) proposed the Power to Players Act.
- The bill aims to establish consumer ownership of video games, not just a license to play.
- It seeks to prevent games from becoming unplayable after server shutdowns, citing NBA 2K25 as an example.
- The act directs the FTC to prevent such outcomes.
- Torres views this as a return to historical norms of game ownership.
- The bill arrives amidst broader discussions about game ownership and preservation, including Sony's plans regarding physical media.
- Potential technical challenges include making online-only games playable offline.
- The bill's effectiveness and enforceability depend on its full text, which is not yet public.
- Recent advancements in decompilation may also influence the conversation around software preservation.