Gaming News
US Lawmaker Proposes Bill to Stop Game 'Rentals'
Developing
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“When you pay for a game, you should own it,”
via pcgamer.com
Our take
The proposal directly challenges the standard digital distribution model where purchases are legally licenses. By citing NBA 2K25's scheduled removal in October 2026, Torres highlights the immediate financial risk for consumers who buy games that may become unplayable within two years.
Background
The debate over digital game ownership has intensified as the industry shifts away from physical media. PC gaming moved to digital distribution decades ago, but the issue recently gained public attention as consoles also transition away from discs. Sony announced earlier in 2026 that it will end physical disc production in 2028, further cementing the digital-only model.
Current digital purchases typically grant players a revocable license to access a game rather than outright ownership. This allows publishers to potentially remove access or shut down online services that games depend on.
The timeline
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Torres announced Power To The Players Act
US Representative Ritchie Torres reportedly announced plans to introduce the Power To The Players Act. The bill would reportedly direct the Federal Trade Commission to create regulations protecting the ability to own and play purchased games. Torres stated that a game that can be taken away is a rental disguised as a sale, and the legislation reportedly aims to require offline modes before online games are shut down.[1]
Our read of the evidence
Mostly unverified. The announcement of the Power To The Players Act is only reported by pcgamer.com and lacks confirmation from a primary source. The pending removal of a game from storefronts and the shutdown of its online servers are reported by Dexerto and remain unverified. There is no indication that both sides of the issue have spoken on the record.
Our rating counts evidence, not opinions about anyone: events confirmed by a primary source (the person's own post, their official site, a court or government record) weigh most, then how many independent outlets report the story.
What happens next
October 30, 2026: NBA 2K25 is scheduled to be removed from digital storefronts, according to Dexerto.
December 31, 2026: NBA 2K25 online servers are scheduled to shut down, according to Dexerto.
Who is involved
Frequently asked
Is the Power To The Players Act currently law?
No, the bill has not yet been introduced in Congress. According to Dexerto, the proposed requirements are not currently law, and further details about enforcement have not been announced.
What would the Power To The Players Act require?
The bill would direct the FTC to establish consumer protections for video game purchases. According to PC Gamer, it aims to establish genuine ownership rather than revocable licenses and requires offline modes before online games are shut down.
Why did Ritchie Torres propose this bill?
Torres argues that consumers should own what they buy. According to Dexerto, he stated that families save up to buy games and deserve better than a license that can vanish at any time.
Which game did Torres cite as an example?
Torres pointed to NBA 2K25 as an example of the issue. According to Dexerto, the game is scheduled to be removed from digital storefronts on October 30, 2026, with servers shutting down on December 31, 2026.
More related drama (4)
Sources (2)
Cite this timeline
This timeline compiles 1 dated events from 2 sources. If it helped your reporting, cite it:
GenZHype. “US Lawmaker Proposes Bill to Stop Game 'Rentals'.”
GenZHype, 17 October 2026,
https://genzhype.com/gaming/us-lawmaker-proposes-bill-to-stop-game-rentals/.