Ritchie Torres announced plans to introduce the Power to the Players Act to protect video game ownership.
Torres said the Power to the Players Act guarantees that buyers retain ownership and can continue playing even if the publisher moves on. Torres said families should have more than a license that can disappear at any moment.
The legislation would require online games to offer an offline mode usable after servers shut down. Torres cited NBA 2K25 as an example, noting it will disappear from digital storefronts on October 30, 2026.
Engadget reports that 2K plans to shut down NBA 2K25’s online servers in December 2026. Kotaku reports that NBA 2K25’s online servers will go offline by January 1, 2027.
Torres described the bill as a restoration to the historical norm of game ownership from the 1980s through the 2000s. Torres called the bill an affordability issue amid rising prices across the economy.
Congress has not yet taken up the Power to the Players Act, so its requirements are not currently law. The legislation must be formally introduced in Congress and will proceed through a lengthy committee process.
Torres suggested the legislation could inspire similar protections for digitally purchased books, movies, and music. Torres said the Power to the Players Act leaves out movies and music but could serve as a model for other digital media rights.
At age 38, Torres is nearly 20 years younger than the median House member. Torres mentioned he grew up playing Grand Theft Auto, Resident Evil, and SOCOM.
Kotaku estimates that 87 percent of legislation never receives a full vote in Congress. Kotaku says trust in Congress is at an all-time low. Torres did not confirm whether the bill will have cosponsors or Republican support.
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