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The announcement that Sony will stop selling new games on discs continues to reverberate. Criticism is coming not only from players but also from consumer rights organizations. One of them believes the decision could give PlayStation full control over digital game pricing. The case has already gone to court in the Netherlands and involves hundreds of millions of euros in damages. Everything suggests the conflict over PlayStation's digital future is just beginning.
Organization accuses Sony of building a monopoly
The Dutch foundation Stichting Massaschade & Consument, which runs the Fair PlayStation campaign, claims that abandoning discs will completely change the games market. According to its representatives, from 2028 players will lose the ability to buy cheaper used copies and to compare offers from different stores. In practice, the PlayStation Store would remain the only place to buy new games. The organization says this would allow Sony to set prices unilaterally and decide how long users would have access to purchased products. This is the basis for a lawsuit worth more than €400 million. The case represents the interests of about 1.7 million players from the Netherlands. The organization 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. Players receive only a license, which the publisher can later restrict in line with the terms. These arguments are to be assessed by a Dutch court. The case could also have implications for other countries.
Sony's legal troubles also extend beyond the Netherlands
The Dutch lawsuit is not the only case concerning PlayStation Store policy. Similar cases are also underway in the United States and the United Kingdom, where consumers likewise accuse Sony of overcharging for digital games. The decision to end disc production starting in 2028 has only heightened interest in these proceedings. Many players fear that the lack of physical releases will further limit competition. Sony, however, maintains that the change stems from the growing popularity of digital distribution and consumer preferences. The company has not addressed allegations that it would have complete control over pricing once the disc era ends. Final rulings in the lawsuits, however, could influence the future of digital game sales. It's possible that regulators may want to take a closer look at how the largest platforms operate. For the whole industry, this could be one of the most important legal battles in the years ahead.
A Dutch group taking on Sony says that phasing out physical discs would give the company full control over game prices in the PlayStation Store. A lawsuit worth over €400 million is another part of the growing dispute over the future of digital game distribution.
source: wccftech
