Gamers who purchased digital titles from the PlayStation Store between April 2019 and December 2023 may soon find a welcome credit in their accounts. A federal judge in San Francisco has granted preliminary approval to a proposed $7.85 million settlement, resolving a class-action lawsuit that accused Sony of engaging in anti-competitive practices and monopolizing the digital games market via its PlayStation Store.
The Allegations: Monopolization and Overcharging
Filed in May 2021, the lawsuit contended that Sony’s alleged anti-competitive behavior compelled gamers to “pay more than they otherwise would have paid for certain digital games.” The core of the complaint revolved around Sony’s decision in April 2019 to discontinue “game-specific vouchers” previously sold by third-party retailers. The plaintiffs argued that the availability of these vouchers through other outlets like Best Buy and GameStop fostered competition, potentially leading to lower prices on the PlayStation Store.
Who is Eligible for a Payout?
The settlement aims to compensate over 4.4 million eligible PlayStation Network (PSN) accounts. The law firm representing the affected users has published a list of qualifying games, which includes popular titles such as The Last of Us, NBA 2K18, and Need for Speed Rivals, among others. If you qualify as part of this class action, your PSN account will be credited once the final approvals are secured.
What Happens Next?
A crucial Fairness Hearing is scheduled for October 15. During this hearing, the court will issue its final judgment and outline the plan for distributing the millions of dollars to eligible accounts. This marks a significant step towards resolution for affected consumers.
A Separate Battle: The UK Antitrust Case
It’s important to note that this U.S. settlement is distinct from another substantial class-action lawsuit filed against Sony in the United Kingdom. That separate legal action accuses Sony of “unfairly charging its UK customers too much for digital games and in-game content purchased through the PlayStation Store.” The potential financial implications of the UK case are far greater, with Sony facing a possible payout of up to $2.7 billion to UK residents if found liable for alleged antitrust violations there.
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