The PlayStation in the Netherlands is being sued for making digital game prices too high. A Dutch consumer group, Stichting Massaschade & Consument, has sued Sony. They say Sony uses its top spot in the market to set high prices for digital games and in-game stuff on the PlayStation Store.
The lawsuit comes from the "Fair PlayStation" push started in February. It says that Sony's tight grip on the PlayStation world, with a move to digital-only like the PS5, makes buyers only buy from the PlayStation Store. The group says this leads to a "Sony tax," making digital games and content cost more than in a free market.
Key points from the group's legal call are:
- Stopping Other Stores: Sony stops other app stores from getting into PlayStation systems, making a closed-off area or "walled garden."
- Harming Buyers: Dutch buyers have paid too much, around 435 million euros since 2013, due to these high prices. They say digital games on PlayStation are often 47% more costly than boxed ones, even though Sony saves on shipping.
- Harming Game Makers: The lawsuit also says Sony limits game developers and outside publishers by making them sell just through the PlayStation Store and letting Sony set the prices.
Lucia Melcherts, the head of Stichting Massaschade & Consument, said, "Many people see that with the new PS5, they are being pushed to 'digital-only' consoles research shows that buyers pay about 47% more for these digital versions."
The group says Sony makes a lot more money from this way, earning over double the profit on digital sales versus store sales. They argue the perks of digital sales benefit Sony a lot, not the buyers or game makers.
The latest price jumps for the PS5 and PS Plus memberships show Sony's power to change prices without worrying much about competition, as they own over 80% of the market among Dutch console owners.
The first court date for this class-action suit might happen later this year. The Dutch court will first check if it can take the case and if the group's claim is valid.
If the court sides with the group, Sony might have to open its digital market to other sellers. Yet, the group knows this might not happen through PlayStation as it works now.
This lawsuit shows growing worry about digital gaming costs and the market power of big platform owners, as the gaming world moves more to a fully digital future.
