# New York Rep Introduces Game Ownership Bill

> New York rep pushes bill to ensure game ownership instead of licenses, requiring publishers to keep games functional after support ends.
- Title: New York Rep Introduces Game Ownership Bill · Tom's Hardware
- Summary: New York rep pushes bill to ensure game ownership instead of licenses, requiring publishers to keep games functional after support ends. New York rep Ritchie…
- Keywords: power to the players act, ritchie torres, new york, congressional district, game ownership, online gaming, offline mode, publisher, game support, digital storefronts, nba 2k25, the crew
- Source: Tom's Hardware — https://tomshardware.com/video-games/new-york-rep-announces-game-ownership-bill-that-would-require-consumer-ownership-rather-than-sale-of-licenses-would-also-require-publishers-to-keep-the-game-functional-after-support-ends
- Published: 2026-10-16T13:51:32+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: power to the players act, ritchie torres, new york, congressional district, game ownership, online gaming, offline mode, publisher, game support, digital storefronts, nba 2k25, the crew
## New York Rep Introduces Game Ownership Bill
Rep. Ritchie Torres of New York's 15th congressional district has introduced the Power To The Players Act.
## Bill Aims to Protect Consumers
The bill directs the FTC to establish regulations on game ownership to curb anti-consumer business practices.
## Consumer Ownership Defined
Buying a video game would give the consumer ownership rather than a license to play it.
## Offline Mode Requirement
Games with online functionality would also be required to provide an offline mode before server shutdown.
## Player Demand for Ownership
Players want to enjoy games even if publishers stop supporting them.
## Sony's Stance on Ownership
Sony doesn't think players own their games and has the right to pull the rug from under them.
## The Crew Shutdown Example
Ubisoft shut down The Crew for server upkeep, making it unplayable despite recent purchases.
## NBA 2K25 Case Study
NBA 2K25 was pulled from digital stores two years after release with servers shut down.
## Overwatch 2 Impact
Overwatch 2 replaced the first Overwatch game outright instead of making it separately playable.
## Stop Killing Games Movement
The Stop Killing Games movement demands publishers leave games functional after discontinuation.
## Bill's Implementation Goals
The bill aims to require offline modes before server shutdown and actual consumer ownership.
## Ownership Debate Continues
The phrase 'if buying isn't owning, piracy isn't stealing' challenges revocable licenses.
## Bill's Potential Impact
The bill could correct the gaming industry's direction toward revocable licenses.
## Key takeaway

New York rep Ritchie Torres introduces Power To The Players Act to mandate consumer ownership of games and offline functionality post-support.