Gaming News: "Power To The Players" Act

 

 There's always something going on in gaming news. Recently Steam changed how it's games are displayed. There's also been talk about AI-generated games, games in which developers let AI do all the work in designing games from graphics, combat systems, story plotline, etc. But there have been other developments that caused a little more buzz than usual. 

 

Lately there's been a rather unwelcome message from many gaming companies: "You don't really own the games you pay for, only rent for the privilege of playing for a while. And we can cancel it any time we want." One example is NBA 2K25 , "The game, which retailed for $69.99 for the standard edition and $99.99 for the All-Star Edition, will be delisted from digital storefronts on October 30 and will have its online servers shut down on December 31, only two years after its initial release." 

 

US Congressman Ritchie Torres of New York City cited this particular game in his "Power To The Players Act," which he introduced a few days ago, "When you pay for a game, you should own it. Consumers must have the right to own, the right to play, and the right to transfer the games they buy. A game that can be taken away the moment a company pulls the plug is not a purchase. It is a rental disguised as a sale. Families in the Bronx and across the country save up to buy these games, and they deserve better than a license that can vanish at any time. The Power To The Players Act ensures consumers own what they buy and can keep playing long after a company moves on.”
 

Should the bill become law, the US Federal Trade Commission will enact regulations to protect ownership of games. But it's not a done deal as the majority of bills in Congress die in Committee. Vice suggested the gaming industry would complain offline modes were too expensive to build. The Verge would state last month in Pennsylvania, legislation was introduced that if made into law would require companies selling games in the state to offer an offline mode or offer a 25% refund if the game is killed.

 

Sources: PC Gamer,  House.Gov, Vice, The Verge

 

Bixyl SHuftan