Free money?
by 
A class-action lawsuit against Sony Interactive Entertainment (PlayStation) has resulted in a potential payout of $7.85 million, which will be passed onto PS5 customers if it goes ahead.
The case is about the PS Store being the only way you can purchase digital games for PS5, as Sony shut off the ability to get digital vouchers for PlayStation software at alternative retailers. This forces anybody who wants to buy a game digitally through the PS Store directly.
Obviously, this becomes a more important topic when you consider Sony’s controversial decision to end the manufacturing of physical game discs at the start of 2028.
Sony refutes claims that it has broken any antitrust laws, and the court has yet to judge whether or not its actions have been unlawful.
Despite that, a settlement payout of $7.85 million has been preliminarily approved; a hearing on 15th October will decide whether this goes ahead, as well as the final amount.
United States customers who bought any of these digital games from PS Store between 1st April 2019 and 31st December 2023 may be eligible for a cut of this payout. If so, you’ll receive your funds to your PSN account, or a cash payment if your account no longer exists.
Sony has come under fire a lot lately, mostly in regard to digital games. The company recently argued in court that “reasonable consumers” understand they don’t own a game they buy.
What are your thoughts on this? Tell us in the comments section below.
[source psndigitalgamessettlement.com, via ign.com]
Stephen has been part of the Push Square team for over six years, bringing boundless enthusiasm and a deep knowledge of video games to his role as Assistant Editor. Having grown up playing every PlayStation console to date, he’s developed an eclectic taste, with particular passion for indie games, arcade racers, and puzzlers. He’s also our go-to guy for Sonic-related matters, much to his delight/chagrin.