PlayStation Digital Games Require Periodic Online Check for New Purchases
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PlayStation users have discovered that some newly purchased digital games require an online connection every 30 days to remain playable. This digital rights management (DRM) system appears to be linked to a temporary license for new acquisitions, which can transition to a permanent offline license after an online check. The issue has drawn attention from consumer rights advocates, and Sony has not yet provided an official comment.
Facts First
- Newly purchased digital PlayStation games require an online check every 30 days to remain accessible.
- The 30-day timer is visible on PlayStation 4 (PS4) but not on PlayStation 5 (PS5), where an error message appears instead.
- An online connection after the 15th day of ownership may grant an infinite offline license, according to a user investigation.
- The issue could render games unplayable if a console's CMOS battery dies, preventing the system clock from functioning.
- Video game preservation outlet Does it Play reported the DRM was 'unintentional', resulting from Sony accidentally breaking something while fixing an exploit.
What Happened
PlayStation users discovered an issue where some newly purchased digital games become unplayable unless the console connects to the internet every 30 days. The 30-day countdown was first discovered on April 25 next to newly bought PlayStation 4 (PS4) games. On PlayStation 5 (PS5), the timer is not visible, but an error message appears when starting a game if it has not been verified online. Testers found that if the countdown reaches zero before an internet connection is established, access to the purchased games is locked. This digital rights management (DRM) does not impact physical games or games purchased in the past.
Why this Matters to You
If you purchase digital games on PlayStation, you may need to ensure your console connects to the internet periodically to maintain access to your library. This could affect your ability to play games during extended periods without internet, such as while traveling or if your home connection is down. For older consoles, a dead CMOS battery... could lock you out of your digital games due to this DRM check. The issue appears to be specific to new purchases, so your existing digital library is likely safe.
What's Next
Eurogamer has contacted PlayStation for comment regarding the implementation of the 30-day checks and the concerns about CMOS batteries. Sony's response may clarify whether this is an intentional policy or an unintentional bug, as reported by an anonymous insider to Does it Play. Consumer rights debates... could bring increased scrutiny to this type of digital access control. The situation may lead to a formal statement or a potential fix from Sony if the DRM is confirmed to be unintentional.