PlayStation users who purchased digital games during a nearly five-year period could receive store credit as part of a proposed settlement.
Sony agreed to a $7.85 million settlement following a class-action lawsuit alleging it monopolized the market for PlayStation digital games, causing customers to pay higher prices. According to the lawsuit, Sony stopped retailers from selling download codes for digital PlayStation games in April 2019, making the PlayStation Store the only place where consumers could purchase digital games.
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Plaintiffs alleged that, on average, digital PlayStation games were priced about 75% higher than physical copies.
Sony has denied any wrongdoing. The court didn’t rule on the merits of the claims before the proposed settlement.
Up to 10 million people could be included in the settlement class nationwide, according to court filings. To qualify, purchases must have been made during the class period of April 1, 2019, through Dec. 31, 2023.
PlayStation users in the United States are eligible if the following applies:
- Purchased one or more qualifying video games through the PlayStation Store.
- Bought a game for which a game-specific voucher (GSV) was available at retail before April 1, 2019.
- Purchased a game that had at least 200 GSV redemptions before April 1, 2019.
- If the game’s post-discount price increased by at least $0.50 when comparing Jan. 1, 2017 through March 31, 2019, and April 1, 2019 through Dec. 31, 2023.
Eligible class members would receive PlayStation Store credit rather than cash, with the amount depending on how many claims were submitted and the number of purchases each person made.
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While no wrongdoing has been found, the court has preliminarily approved the $7.85 million settlement. A federal hearing on Oct. 15 will determine whether the agreement receives final approval.
A complete list of qualifying games can be found on the settlement website.
