Torres Bill Aims to Guarantee Ownership of Purchased Games as PlayStation Discs Wind Down

October 18, 2026 - 12:57

Representative Ritchie Torres has introduced the Power to the Players Act, a bill designed to ensure that consumers who buy digital games actually own them. The move comes as Sony prepares to end production of physical PlayStation discs, raising concerns that players could lose access to games they have already paid for.

The legislation targets the growing problem of digital licenses that can be revoked by publishers. Under current arrangements, buyers often receive a license to play a game rather than ownership of it, meaning access can disappear if a storefront closes or a company decides to pull the title. The bill would require sellers to make clear that a purchase grants ownership, and it would bar companies from revoking access to games that customers have bought.

Supporters argue the change is overdue. As the industry shifts toward all-digital distribution, they say consumers need basic protections that mirror what they get when they buy a physical disc or cartridge. Critics of the current model point out that players have already seen storefronts shut down and libraries vanish, leaving purchased titles unplayable.

Sony's decision to stop making discs adds urgency to the debate. If physical media disappears, ownership protections for digital purchases become the only safeguard left. The bill now awaits further consideration, and its fate will likely shape how the game industry handles digital ownership for years to come.