Power to the Players Act: Bill for Digital Game Ownership

US Congressman Ritchie Torres is campaigning for the "Power to the Players Act" — a proposed bill that would change how digital video game sales work so that buying a digital game means actually owning it. Important note up front: this is a proposed bill, not passed law, and its outcome remains uncertain.

What the Power to the Players Act Would Do

The bill targets the core of modern digital game ownership: when you "buy" a digital game today, you're often buying a license that can be revoked. Torres wants that changed. His position, as reported by outlets covering the campaign:

"Consumers must have the right to own, the right to play, and the right to transfer the games they buy."

Under the proposed approach, games should remain playable as long as the consumer owns them — not only until "a company pulls the plug." That would fundamentally reshape how publishers handle digital storefronts, licenses, and online-only titles.

Why NBA 2K25's Delisting Became a Flashpoint

Among the examples raised in the bill's campaign, the delisting of NBA 2K25 became a particular focus. When games are delisted from digital stores, players who paid for them can find themselves unable to re-download or access purchases they thought were permanent.

The bill also raises the issue of online-only games — titles that become completely unplayable once a publisher shuts down servers. Torres's campaign argues that buying such games should guarantee playability, not just a temporary rental of an experience.

Rockstar Games has been named in the broader digital-ownership debate, alongside other major publishers navigating the shift toward digital-first sales.

PlayStation's All-Digital Push Adds Pressure

The debate comes as PlayStation has been moving toward an all-digital future, raising the stakes for players who never buy physical discs. As reported context, recent PS5 firmware now requires the latest update to stay connected to PSN — a reminder of how much control platforms already exercise over the games players own.

For players, the question is simple: if your entire library is digital, what happens when a store delists a game or a company shuts down servers? The Power to the Players Act aims to give that question a legal answer.

Whether the bill gains traction in Congress is an open question. For now, it remains a proposal — one to watch closely for anyone who buys games digitally.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Power to the Players Act?

It's a proposed US bill championed by Congressman Ritchie Torres that would give buyers of digital games the right to own, play, and transfer their games — preventing companies from revoking access to purchased titles.

Is the Power to the Players Act law?

No. It is a proposed bill, not passed law. Its outcome is uncertain, and it has not been enacted.

Who is behind the Power to the Players Act?

US Congressman Ritchie Torres is campaigning for the bill, arguing that consumers should own the games they buy rather than holding a revocable license.

Why does the bill mention NBA 2K25?

The delisting of NBA 2K25 became a focus of the campaign as an example of how digital games players paid for can become inaccessible when publishers pull them from stores.

Sources: GamingBible (citing IGN), PixelHerald.