Sony Faces Lawsuit in the Netherlands Over Alleged PlayStation Store Price Manipulation

[CoolMe]

In February 2025, Sony Interactive Entertainment was sued in the Netherlands by the Dutch Mass Claims and Consumer Foundation (Stichting Massaschade & Consument). The lawsuit alleges that Sony's PlayStation Store prices are inflated, causing consumers to overpay for digital games and in-game content.

Research by the foundation indicates that digital PlayStation games are, on average, 47% more expensive than their physical versions, despite lower distribution costs for digital content. The lawsuit accuses Sony of monopolizing digital game sales for its consoles by restricting purchases exclusively to the PlayStation Store, unlike other platforms that allow third-party retailers to sell digital game codes.

This practice, termed the "Sony Tax," allegedly leads to artificially high prices. Similar legal challenges have occurred elsewhere; in December 2024, Sony settled a U.S. class-action lawsuit for $7.85 million over comparable claims.

"The case follows similar legal actions in Portugal and the United Kingdom, where courts are also reviewing Sony’s restrictive business practices."
If the Dutch court rules against Sony, the company may need to revise its digital sales strategy, potentially allowing third-party retailers to sell game codes. This could result in lower prices for consumers.

Source: Stek (the firm representing Stichting Massaschade & Consument)

 

[Exnor]

It's a $ony.

Go digital they say.

 

[CoolMe]

It's a $ony.

Go digital they say.

MS/Xbox is atleast better in that regard, as they allow 3rd party retailers like Amazon sell game codes etc.

 

[Naif1987]

I am beginning to realize that going all digital since the PS4 was a mistake on my part. At the time, I believed that digital distribution would lead to more affordable game prices, given that companies like Sony have significantly lower overhead costs when selling digital copies compared to physical ones. There are no expenses related to manufacturing discs, packaging, distribution, or retail markups. Logically, this should have resulted in cheaper games for consumers. However, I’ve come to see that this assumption was incorrect.

Instead of passing on the savings to players, Sony and other digital storefronts have largely maintained or even increased prices, capitalizing on the fact that digital purchases eliminate the resale market. With no competition from used game sales or discounts from third-party retailers, digital storefronts hold complete control over pricing, meaning there's little incentive to offer lower prices.

 

[CoolMe]

Instead of passing on the savings to players, Sony and other digital storefronts have largely maintained or even increased prices, capitalizing on the fact that digital purchases eliminate the resale market. With no competition from used game sales or discounts from third-party retailers, digital storefronts hold complete control over pricing, meaning there's little incentive to offer lower prices.

If we're talking consoles, yes, all three are to blame to some degree.. but on pc? Games are always cheap in comparison to consoles (on Steam/Epic/GOG), with deals going almost year round..

 

[Naif1987]

If we're talking consoles, yes, all three are to blame to some degree.. but on pc? Games are always cheap in comparison to consoles (on Steam/Epic/GOG), with deals going almost year round..

I completely agree. This is why I’ve gradually started shifting my digital library to Steam and GOG after getting a Steam Deck. The deals on these platforms are far better, making them much more cost-efficient in the long run.

 

[CoolMe]

I completely agree. This is why I’ve gradually started shifting my digital library to Steam and GOG after getting a Steam Deck. The deals on these platforms are far better, making them much more cost-efficient in the long run.

That's why they sell consoles at a loss 'cause they know they'll get more than enough profit from selling you digital (and even physical) games, and with the nature of their enclosed ecosystems you literally have no alternatives.

 

[Bladexdsl]

oh sony you so silly

 

[DragonMals]

This was so wonderfully written it confused me as a front page article. Spectacular job!

On with the main topic... of course its a Sony thing that they would inflate prices like that. Why? Cause its Sony

 

[notsu]

Kussony

 

[Robert Newbie]

I am beginning to realize that going all digital since the PS4 was a mistake on my part. At the time, I believed that digital distribution would lead to more affordable game prices, given that companies like Sony have significantly lower overhead costs when selling digital copies compared to physical ones. There are no expenses related to manufacturing discs, packaging, distribution, or retail markups. Logically, this should have resulted in cheaper games for consumers. However, I’ve come to see that this assumption was incorrect.

Instead of passing on the savings to players, Sony and other digital storefronts have largely maintained or even increased prices, capitalizing on the fact that digital purchases eliminate the resale market. With no competition from used game sales or discounts from third-party retailers, digital storefronts hold complete control over pricing, meaning there's little incentive to offer lower prices.

I've ranted about this with Steam. At the beginning of the 7th gen, better PC ports were coming along, and PC game prices were less than their console counterparts. We were rewarded for building our own PC's, and the Bundle Wars made things even better. It wasn't long before the prices went up.

These days, seasonal Steam sales are a joke, since they are the same discounts from weeks prior. Back in the day, they were worth waiting for.

EDIT: That reminds me, there have been cases of companies increasing the base prices for Steam sales, allowing a higher discount percentage to be shown.

 

[Exnor]

I hope that people see this as another reminder not to go digital on consoles.

If next gen is all digital i'm saying bye bye to Sony and MS. Fortunately Nintendo is still maintaining support for physical releases.

 

[Deleted member 702243]

MS/Xbox is atleast better in that regard, as they allow 3rd party retailers like Amazon sell game codes etc.

well the codes come from microsoft regardless, it's not like third party stores can just generate their own codes. I guess it depends on if microsoft sells them codes in bulk at a discount specifically to allow them to compete against microsoft's own store

 

[FluffyLunamoth]

Wonder if they'll go after Nintendo too, they do the same thing.

 

[Deleted member 671727]

Thats why i only buy physical. Games that are digital only are an instant no buy. Same with consoles who are digital only.
Digital games are a rip off. Regardless what you say. They have no printings, no discs, nearly only the infrastructure costs to deliver it to you. And still they cost the same if not more than retail versions.
I will never support this with my hard earned money.

 

[tech3475]

Wonder if they'll go after Nintendo too, they do the same thing.

Nintendo still allows the sale of keys via third parties, especially retail where 'codes in the box' are common.

 

[zachdotnet]

Good on them. Going all digital has always been about improving profit margins over any kind of consumer benefit

 

[Moseii]

digital games have always been a scam, especially on consoles. im genuinely worried about new gen consoles in the future if they're going to be full-on digital only :/

 

[KingVamp]

Tbf, some indie games probably would have never been made without digital stores.

That said, yeah, even more reasons to not want a diskless console.