New York congressman proposes bill to protect video game ownership rights
Representative Ritchie Torres of New York plans to introduce legislation asking the Federal Trade Commission to regulate digital game licenses.
Proposed federal regulations for games
The congressman announced his intention to draft a bill that directs the FTC to establish new rules. These rules would ensure consumers can continue playing games they have purchased even if online servers shut down. The legislation aims to shift the industry model from licensing software to granting actual ownership of digital products.
Specific examples cited in news
Reports highlight NBA 2K25 as a primary example of the issues the bill seeks to address. This basketball title launched in 2024 for $70 and faces removal from digital stores on October 30. Developers also plan to shut down online servers in December, which would prevent players from accessing multiplayer modes.
Requirements for offline access
The proposed act would force companies to provide an offline mode if they decide to take down servers. This measure is designed to stop situations where a paid game becomes unplayable after its initial release period. Torres stated that enforcing these protections would help players maintain access to their purchased software.
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