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The announcement that Sony will end sales of new games on discs continues to reverberate. Criticism is coming not only from players but also from consumer rights organisations. One of them says the decision could hand PlayStation full control over the prices of digital games. The case has already been taken to court in the Netherlands and concerns hundreds of millions of euros in damages. Everything suggests the conflict over PlayStation's digital future is only just beginning.
Organisation accuses Sony of building a monopoly
The Dutch foundation Stichting Massaschade & Consument, which is running the Fair PlayStation campaign, says that abandoning discs will completely change the games market. According to its representatives, from 2028 gamers will lose the ability to buy cheaper used copies and to compare offers from different retailers. In practice, the only place to purchase new games will remain the PlayStation Store. According to the organisation, this will allow Sony to set prices unilaterally and decide how long users will have access to purchased products. This is precisely what the lawsuit worth more than €400 million is based on. The case represents the interests of around 1.7 million gamers from the Netherlands. The organisation argues that fair competition cannot exist if consumers have no alternative. According to the plaintiffs, digital purchases also do not provide full ownership of products. Gamers receive only a licence that the publisher may later restrict in accordance with the terms of service. These arguments are to be assessed by the Dutch court. The case may also be significant for other countries.
Sony's legal problems are emerging beyond the Netherlands
The Dutch lawsuit is not the only case related to PlayStation Store policies. Similar cases are underway in the United States and the United Kingdom, where consumers also accuse Sony of overcharging for digital games. The decision to stop producing discs from 2028 has only heightened interest in these proceedings. Many gamers fear that the absence of physical releases will further limit competition. Sony maintains, however, that the change is due to the growing popularity of digital distribution and consumer preferences. The company has not responded to allegations that it will have full control over prices once the disc era ends. Court rulings in these cases could, however, affect the future of digital game sales. Regulators may seek to take a closer look at how the major platforms operate. For the entire industry, this could be one of the most important legal battles of the coming years.
A Dutch organisation taking on Sony argues that phasing out physical discs will give the company full control over game prices on the PlayStation Store. A lawsuit worth more than €400 million is the latest development in the growing dispute over the future of digital game distribution.
source: wccftech
