[analyse_image type=”featured” src=”https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/02fWcapBL8zCNrotQixnpvB/hero-image.fill.size_1200x675.v1777907377.jpg”]
PS5 gamers entitled to credits in new Sony lawsuit settlement
on
A federal judge has preliminarily approved a $7.85 million settlement resolving claims that Sony Interactive Entertainment illegally squeezed out competition in the digital PlayStation games market — and millions of affected players should soon be able to collect without doing anything.
The lawsuit, filed in 2021, alleged that Sony cut off third-party retailers from selling game-specific download vouchers starting April 1, 2019, effectively funneling consumers to the PlayStation Store and driving up prices in violation of federal antitrust law. Sony has denied any wrongdoing.
U.S. District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín granted preliminary approval to the deal on April 8, after previously rejecting two earlier versions of the settlement — first over concerns about service awards for plaintiffs who were no longer part of the class, and again over questions about whether PlayStation Store credits amounted to coupons under the law.
You May Also Like
The settlement covers U.S. consumers who bought eligible PlayStation games through the PlayStation Store for which a retail voucher existed before April 1, 2019, and for which prices increased by at least 50 cents over a set period. More than 4.4 million people are covered under the deal.
How to collect
For most class members, getting paid requires no action at all. Those with active PlayStation Network accounts will automatically receive credits redeemable in the PlayStation Store. Players with deactivated accounts, however, must contact the settlement administrator to request a paper check — and that deadline is Aug. 27, 2026.
Anyone who wants to opt out of the settlement and preserve their right to sue separately must submit an exclusion request by July 2, 2026.
The court is scheduled to hold a final approval hearing on Oct. 15, 2026. Compensation won’t be distributed until after that approval is granted and any appeals are resolved. Plaintiffs’ attorneys are seeking up to one-third of the settlement fund in fees.
More information on eligible games and claim details can be found at PSNDigitalGamesSettlement.com.
TopicsVideo Games
Chance Townsend is the General Assignments Editor at Mashable, covering tech, video games, dating apps, digital culture, and whatever else comes his way. He has a Master’s in Journalism from the University of North Texas and is a proud orange cat father. His writing has also appeared in PC Mag and Mother Jones.
In his free time, he cooks, loves to sleep, and greatly enjoys Detroit sports. If you have any tips or want to talk shop about the Lions, you can reach out to him on Bluesky @offbrandchance.bsky.social or by email at [email protected].
[analyse_source url=”https://mashable.com/article/ps5-gamers-entitled-to-credits-in-new-sony-lawsuit”]