Sony Hit With Class Action Lawsuit Over Pricey Digital Games and DLC — Alleged ‘Sony Tax’ Makes Digital Games 47% More Expensive Than Physical Copies

Alright, let’s dive into this. So, here’s the scoop – Dutch PlayStation gamers are like, seriously ticked off. The whole ‘Sony tax’ situation has got them riled up, and now they’re throwing down a class action lawsuit against the big S. Basically, they’re saying that Sony’s got this monopoly vibe going on, making digital game prices way steeper than physical copies. I mean, how wild is that?

Apparently, this group, the ‘Fair PlayStation’ crew, claims folks are forking over about 47% more for digital versions. That’s like, if you bought a snack for $10, but on your phone, it’s suddenly $14.7. Nuts! They did some homework and figured out Sony’s been working this angle for a solid decade. And I couldn’t help but think, did no one notice sooner? Maybe they thought it’d change, like, magically or something.

But, nope, here we are, allegedly 1.7 million gamers deep in a €435 million ($505 million-ish) hole. Yikes. And this has been brewing since 2013. Imagine that…basically, the price of a small planet or an island – okay, not really, but you get the idea.

Look, no matter where you are, new games kinda cost a small fortune. Like, $69.99 in the US? It’s a chuckle and a half when thinking about budgets. Sure, digital means convenience, but ouch.

Anyway, I was thinking about this shift to digital-only consoles. It’s like one moment you’re in a store, looking at game boxes like it’s the ’90s, and then poof! Everything’s online, but with less competition ’cause who else do you buy from, right?

Alright, time to mention Lucia Melcherts. She’s the brain behind Stichting Massaschade & Consument and is basically saying Sony’s move is stealing the sparkle from gamers’ eyes. Picture a magic show where the magician suddenly says, “Pay more, or the bunny vanishes.” Okay, that’s not exact, but you get me.

She’s going off about how digital should mean cheaper – but here we are. Sony’s supposedly got some bold monopoly moves, making changes without flinching. Like raising prices last April. Really?

The kicker? The ‘Fair PlayStation’ group says Sony’s sitting comfy, pulling double the margins like sipping tea while the rest of us wonder what’s for dinner.

The first showdown in court kicks off in 2025. Fingers crossed the Dutch courts hand gamers a win and break down those walls. Let’s mix it up, right?

And hey, if you are wondering who’s bringing you this spicy gossip and tech talk? It’s from Tom’s Hardware, keeping you in the loop. Click that follow button if you wanna ride this rollercoaster with us. 🎢