PlayStation hit with lawsuit
Gaming giants Sony PlayStation are being sued £5 billion for ‘ripping off customers’ with game prices and in-game purchases.
By: Sam Feierabend. 
Photo: barkingdrum.com.
The legal action, led by consumer rights champion Alex
Neill, could see millions of everyday gamers owed money should the lawsuit be
accepted by courts. The case claims that Sony PlayStation’s actions have driven
up prices for consumers, resulting in customers being overcharged for digital
gaming purchases over the past six years. This would be a complete abuse of the
company’s position as market leader to impose terms and conditions on games’
developers and publishers, including a 30% commission on evert digital purchase
on the PlayStation Store.
The estimated damages per individual in the claim is said to
be between £67 and £562. This applies to any customer who has purchased digital
games or add-on content on their console since August 2016. As many as nine million
claimants could benefit from this lawsuit. Many vulnerable people rely on
gaming for community and connection, so the actions of Sony are pricing people out
of gaming.
The lawsuit is not the first time that commissions on
digital platforms have been scrutinised. Apple and Google have faced similar
accusations in recent years. Interestingly, it seems there is no mention of
Microsoft Xbox in these lawsuit discussions, despite games and add-ons being a
similar price. They could be one to watch.
PlayStation users will automatically have a claim if they:
owned a console since 19 August 2016, live in the UK, purchased digital
PlayStation games, or made in-game purchases via the PlayStation Store. Those
who may be excited at the prospect of some extra cash are being warned however,
as cases of this nature could take several years to resolve and could be left
waiting if Sony PlayStation refuses to settle the claim.