{"id":1908646,"date":"2026-04-29T10:32:29","date_gmt":"2026-04-29T07:32:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1908646"},"modified":"2026-04-29T10:32:29","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T07:32:29","slug":"playstation-fans-think-theyve-figured-out-sonys-mysterious-new-drm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1908646","title":{"rendered":"PlayStation Fans Think They&#8217;ve Figured Out Sony&#8217;s Mysterious New DRM"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-cy=\"article-content\" class=\"jsx-2870106660 article-content page-0\">\n<section data-cy=\"article-subtitle\" class=\"article jsx-3932497636 article-section jsx-28683165 news\" data-autopogo=\"true\">\n<section class=\"article-page\">\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">PlayStation fans appear to have figured out <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/playstation-5-appears-to-have-quietly-introduced-drm-checks-prompting-player-confusion\">Sony&#8217;s mysterious addition of a 30-day licence for new digital PS4 and PS5 purchases<\/a>, something that has prompted concern that the company has introduced a fresh form of DRM that could limit access to players with offline consoles, or whose machine&#8217;s internal battery had died.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Sony is still yet to acknowledge its change, leaving PlayStation owners in the dark about what exactly is going on. Requests for information from PlayStation customer support representatives have provided them with mixed messages, while Sony is yet to respond to IGN&#8217;s requests for comment.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">In the meantime, PlayStation fans have been attempting to figure out what the new 30-day timer means \u2014 and now a flurry of similar experiences seem to have worked it out, backed by noted game preservation resource <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/DoesItPlay1\/status\/2049137515882328424\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Does it play?<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"jsx-2228525885\"><\/button><span data-cy=\"slideshow-view-trigger\"><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-preview\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 slideshow-preview\">\n<h3 class=\"title5 jsx-62124236 jsx-1085005187\" data-cy=\"slideshow-preview-title\">The 100 Best PlayStation Games of All Time<\/h3>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-container\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 images-container\"><button type=\"button\" data-cy=\"hero-image\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 hero-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"100. Ape Escape\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><span class=\"button-text jsx-729543028 button button--primary jsx-3381835873 jsx-4266531355 row-pagination-button next contained centered round large\" data-cy=\"paginate next\" title=\"Open Slideshow\"><span class=\"ign-icon right-chevron jsx-2750866048 jsx-2919720488\" role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-cy=\"right-chevron\" style=\"background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-list\" class=\"scrollbar jsx-2072772685 jsx-4243969252 images-list\"><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"99. Crash Team Racing\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"rounded jsx-412047461 overlay progressive-image jsx-2338608387 expand\" data-cy=\"slideshow-image-overlay\">\n<div data-cy=\"element-caption\" class=\"caption jsx-1762799490\">View 100 Images<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"98. Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"97. Tearaway\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"96. Deathloop\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"95. Jak 2\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">In a nutshell, the 30-day licence introduced for new digital PS4 and PS5 games appears to be a temporary measure, that then gets replaced with a permanent licence after 14 days. <\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">As soon as players connect their console online after 14 days, and the valid purchase of the game is verified, the 30-day timer is removed. Alternatively, if the purchase cannot be verified, the game continues to be playable for the remainder of the 30-day window before access is denied.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">The situation, deduced by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.resetera.com\/threads\/sonys-digital-drm-issue-of-mandatory-activation-every-30-days-reason-potentially-found.1501771\/page-7#post-154305715\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Resetera<\/a> forum user andshrew after various tests, appears to be an attempt by Sony to close a loophole where users with hacked consoles could refund a game but keep access to it. Sony&#8217;s quick fix essentially makes this harder \u2014 meaning consoles need to verify a game is legitimately playable after the company&#8217;s 14-day digital refund window expires.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Further evidence of the situation has been <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/nib95_\/status\/2049304451169615982\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">provided<\/a> by <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/egycnq\/status\/2049150845124485340\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">other<\/a> PlayStation fans on social media, who have since tested recent games older than 14 days \u2014 and found they still work even when offline and without the console&#8217;s internal battery. This was a key concern about the change \u2014 that active, ongoing DRM could permanently block access if you were offline for more than 30 days, or if your console battery died. Thankfully, after the 14 day refund period is over, this no longer appears to be a concern.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Of course, all of this is just detective work by fans until Sony says something itself about its changes, or how it will impact fans. In the meantime, fans say its silence has prompted unnecessary concern.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;Discussing the new PlayStation DRM is getting exhausting,&#8221; Does it play? <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/DoesItPlay1\/status\/2049121620082454590\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">concluded<\/a>. &#8220;One part of the internet assumes the world is going under. Another turned it into a console war thing. And some defend\/deny it with their lives for no reason. All this turmoil because Sony sticks its head in the sand.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"accent-divider\" class=\"jsx-3449795453 divider jsx-2786329600\"><\/div>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\"><em>Tom Phillips is IGN&#8217;s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/tomphillipseg.bsky.social\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@tomphillipseg.bsky.social<\/a><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/section>\n<p><span class=\"stack jsx-1475529924\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"jsx-2155806329 adunit-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"jsx-2155806329 bobble bobble-1 pogocnt pg-article\">\n<div data-mix-name=\"secondaryMedrec\" data-pos=\"1\" data-pogo-hide=\"1\" class=\"jsx-343126785 pogo-slot\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<section class=\"article-page\">\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">PlayStation fans appear to have figured out <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/playstation-5-appears-to-have-quietly-introduced-drm-checks-prompting-player-confusion\">Sony&#8217;s mysterious addition of a 30-day licence for new digital PS4 and PS5 purchases<\/a>, something that has prompted concern that the company has introduced a fresh form of DRM that could limit access to players with offline consoles, or whose machine&#8217;s internal battery had died.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Sony is still yet to acknowledge its change, leaving PlayStation owners in the dark about what exactly is going on. Requests for information from PlayStation customer support representatives have provided them with mixed messages, while Sony is yet to respond to IGN&#8217;s requests for comment.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">In the meantime, PlayStation fans have been attempting to figure out what the new 30-day timer means \u2014 and now a flurry of similar experiences seem to have worked it out, backed by noted game preservation resource <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/DoesItPlay1\/status\/2049137515882328424\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Does it play?<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"jsx-2228525885\"><\/button><span data-cy=\"slideshow-view-trigger\"><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-preview\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 slideshow-preview\">\n<h3 class=\"title5 jsx-62124236 jsx-1085005187\" data-cy=\"slideshow-preview-title\">The 100 Best PlayStation Games of All Time<\/h3>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-container\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 images-container\"><button type=\"button\" data-cy=\"hero-image\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 hero-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"100. Ape Escape\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><span class=\"button-text jsx-729543028 button button--primary jsx-3381835873 jsx-4266531355 row-pagination-button next contained centered round large\" data-cy=\"paginate next\" title=\"Open Slideshow\"><span class=\"ign-icon right-chevron jsx-2750866048 jsx-2919720488\" role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-cy=\"right-chevron\" style=\"background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-list\" class=\"scrollbar jsx-2072772685 jsx-4243969252 images-list\"><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"99. Crash Team Racing\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"rounded jsx-412047461 overlay progressive-image jsx-2338608387 expand\" data-cy=\"slideshow-image-overlay\">\n<div data-cy=\"element-caption\" class=\"caption jsx-1762799490\">View 100 Images<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"98. Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"97. Tearaway\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"96. Deathloop\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"95. Jak 2\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">In a nutshell, the 30-day licence introduced for new digital PS4 and PS5 games appears to be a temporary measure, that then gets replaced with a permanent licence after 14 days. <\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">As soon as players connect their console online after 14 days, and the valid purchase of the game is verified, the 30-day timer is removed. Alternatively, if the purchase cannot be verified, the game continues to be playable for the remainder of the 30-day window before access is denied.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">The situation, deduced by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.resetera.com\/threads\/sonys-digital-drm-issue-of-mandatory-activation-every-30-days-reason-potentially-found.1501771\/page-7#post-154305715\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Resetera<\/a> forum user andshrew after various tests, appears to be an attempt by Sony to close a loophole where users with hacked consoles could refund a game but keep access to it. Sony&#8217;s quick fix essentially makes this harder \u2014 meaning consoles need to verify a game is legitimately playable after the company&#8217;s 14-day digital refund window expires.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Further evidence of the situation has been <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/nib95_\/status\/2049304451169615982\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">provided<\/a> by <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/egycnq\/status\/2049150845124485340\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">other<\/a> PlayStation fans on social media, who have since tested recent games older than 14 days \u2014 and found they still work even when offline and without the console&#8217;s internal battery. This was a key concern about the change \u2014 that active, ongoing DRM could permanently block access if you were offline for more than 30 days, or if your console battery died. Thankfully, after the 14 day refund period is over, this no longer appears to be a concern.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Of course, all of this is just detective work by fans until Sony says something itself about its changes, or how it will impact fans. In the meantime, fans say its silence has prompted unnecessary concern.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;Discussing the new PlayStation DRM is getting exhausting,&#8221; Does it play? <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/DoesItPlay1\/status\/2049121620082454590\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">concluded<\/a>. &#8220;One part of the internet assumes the world is going under. Another turned it into a console war thing. And some defend\/deny it with their lives for no reason. All this turmoil because Sony sticks its head in the sand.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"accent-divider\" class=\"jsx-3449795453 divider jsx-2786329600\"><\/div>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\"><em>Tom Phillips is IGN&#8217;s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/tomphillipseg.bsky.social\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@tomphillipseg.bsky.social<\/a><\/p>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>PlayStation fans appear to have figured out Sony&#8217;s mysterious addition of a 30-day licence for new digital PS4 and PS5 purchases, something that has prompted concern that the company has introduced a fresh form of DRM that could limit access to players with offline consoles, or whose machine&#8217;s internal battery had died. Sony is still [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,243],"class_list":["post-1908646","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-ign-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1908646","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1908646"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1908646\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1908646"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1908646"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1908646"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}