US Rep proposes bill to give video game buyers "ownership," not "a license"
There are still significant hurdles ahead, both technical and legislative.
There are still significant hurdles ahead, both technical and legislative.
The short version
- The announcement names NBA 2K25 as an example of the problem the bill aims to solve; that game launched on September 6, 2025, but is scheduled to become unplayable on December 31 due to server shutdowns.
- The bill, which is called the Power to Players Act, directs the FTC to take action to prevent outcomes like that in the future.
- “I think there should be a simple rule: if you pay for it, you own it,” Torres told Kotaku .
What happened
He called the new status quo the bill proposes a “restoration to the historical norm,” referencing how most games were experienced by players back in the ’90s. The bill comes at a time when game ownership and preservation is a hot-button issue.
Why it matters
Some consumers have been protesting Sony’s announcement that it plans to discontinue releases of PlayStation games on physical media .
Summary by Nerd News Network. Read the full article at Ars Technica via the links above and below.