In the Netherlands, Sony is facing accusations of maintaining a monopoly over the pricing of digital games on its PlayStation Store. If this allegation holds up, it could potentially cause problems for the company, as a class action lawsuit has been filed claiming that they are in violation of Dutch and European competition laws by refusing to permit third-party vendors from selling digital game codes.
Based on findings from the Dutch Mass Claims and Consumer Foundation (Massaschade & Consument Foundation), it’s revealed that on average, digitally purchased PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 games tend to be 47% pricier compared to their physically available counterparts. This is surprising given that digital distribution is intended to bypass manufacturing, storage, packaging, and logistics costs.
Essentially, what’s problematic is that Sony only permits their official store to sell digital game codes, thus eradicating competition in the market. Although you can acquire PS Store credit from numerous vendors, they don’t offer full digital download codes for individual games, again resulting in a complete absence of competition.
Previously, I could buy complete game downloads from multiple stores, but in 2019, that changed when the colossal Japanese company put an end to it. As per the lawsuit, this shift has led to what’s now known as the “Sony tax”, a situation where Sony holds the reins on pricing in its digital marketplace.
As a passionate gamer, I can’t help but express my concern about Sony’s business practices. It seems they’re operating like a monopolist in multiple aspects, according to Lucia Melcherts, the chair of the Massaschade & Consument Foundation. This is evident in how PlayStation players are still paying premium prices, even for games that have been around for quite some time.
It’s worth noting that the company encountered a comparable lawsuit in the U.S. just last year, ending with a settlement of $7.85 million. Despite asserting no wrongdoing, they opted to pay up to bypass prolonged legal proceedings. Additionally, another case has been brought against them in the UK.
If the ongoing Dutch lawsuit against Sony is victorious, Sony might have to resume offering digital game codes via third-party vendors again. This potential change might lead to increased competition among digital game retailers concerning pricing – a concept that sounds promising, but we’ll stay skeptical until it becomes a reality.
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2025-02-24 11:36