# New York Rep Introduces Bill to Keep Games Playable

> New York Rep Ritchie Torres introduces bill to ensure gamers own games they buy.
- Title: New York Rep Introduces Bill to Keep Games Playable · PCMAG
- Summary: New York Rep Ritchie Torres introduces bill to ensure gamers own games they buy. Rep Ritchie Torres introduces Power To The Players Act to protect consumers'…
- Keywords: rep ritchie torres, power to the players act, federal trade commission, video games, consumers, ownership, online functionality, offline mode, nba 2k25, stop killing games, ubisoft, the crew
- Source: PCMAG — https://pcmag.com/news/new-york-rep-introduces-bill-which-could-keep-games-playable-for-longer
- Author: Will McCurdy
- Published: 2026-10-18T18:51:59+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: rep ritchie torres, power to the players act, federal trade commission, video games, consumers, ownership, online functionality, offline mode, nba 2k25, stop killing games, ubisoft, the crew
## New York Rep Introduces Bill
Rep Ritchie Torres (D-NY) announced he will introduce the Power To The Players Act to direct the Federal Trade Commission to establish regulations protecting consumers' ability to own and play video games they purchase.
## Bill Would Ensure Ownership
If passed, purchasing a video game would give consumers ownership rather than just a license to play it, and games with online functionality would require offline mode before servers shut down.
## NBA 2K25 as Example
NBA 2K25, which retailed for $69.99, is set to be delisted on Oct. 30, 2024, with online servers shutting down on Dec. 31, 2024, just over two years after its Sept. 6, 2024 release.
## Stop Killing Games Movement
The bill follows the Stop Killing Games movement, an online initiative lobbying governments to make practices like delisting games illegal after they are released.
## Ubisoft's Past Action
The movement was inspired by Ubisoft abruptly cutting support for The Crew in 2014, delisting it from players' libraries despite a loyal player base.
## European Commission Action
In June 2026, the European Commission declined to propose legislation forcing video games to remain playable after withdrawal from sale but will work with industry on a voluntary code of conduct.
## California Bill Status
A comparable bill, the Protect Our Games Act, failed to clear a California State Senate committee in June but voted unanimously to reconsider for another vote in 2027.
## Key takeaway

Rep Ritchie Torres introduces Power To The Players Act to protect consumers' right to own and play video games they purchase.