Gaming Industry: US Lawmaker Introduces 'Power To The Players' Act [Confirmed]

The US House will consider the "Power To The Players Act," a bill introduced by Representative Ritchie Torres on June 12, 2024, to legally define video game purchases as ownership rather than rentals. According to verified reports from PC Gamer, the legislation would task the Federal Trade Commission with drafting rules that guarantee consumers the right to own, play, and transfer purchased games, even after a title is decommissioned. Torres argues that current digital‑only sales function as disguised rentals, leaving players vulnerable when publishers pull servers. The bill also references recent console disc‑phase‑out trends and growing consumer backlash over lost access. For deeper context, see our earlier coverage of digital‑ownership legislation [Digital Game Ownership Legislation [Confirmed]: Torres Act](/news/digital-game-ownership-legislation-torres) and the impact on esports marketplaces.