PlayStation customers living in the United States may be eligible to receive a portion of an upcoming $7.85 million settlement payout following a class-action antitrust lawsuit, as reported by CNET. The legal battle centers on allegations that Sony Interactive Entertainment, LLC unlawfully eliminated competition and monopolized the digital game market.
Understanding the $7.85 Million Sony Antitrust Settlement
According to the court case, Sony discontinued the sale of game-specific vouchers that previously allowed PlayStation owners to buy digital games from alternative online retailers. The lawsuit claims this practice forced consumers to purchase digital games exclusively through the PlayStation Store, resulting in higher prices than they otherwise would have paid. Affected titles mentioned in the litigation include PlayStation exclusive games like The Last of Us,
as well as third-party games such as the Mass Effect Trilogy
and Resident Evil 4.
Sony has denied any wrongdoing or that settlement class members were damaged by its actions, and the court has not decided whether the company violated any laws. Despite this denial, the court has granted preliminary approval to the $7.85 million settlement payment.
Who Qualifies for the PlayStation Store Credit
Not every PlayStation owner is automatically eligible for compensation. To qualify as a member of the settlement class, individuals must meet specific criteria regarding their identity and purchase history:
- Must be a living, individual human being residing in the United States or its territories.
- Must have purchased one or more eligible digital video games through the PlayStation Store between April 1, 2019, and Dec. 31, 2023.
- The purchased game must have had a game-specific voucher available at retail prior to April 1, 2019.
- The game must have had at least 200 game-specific voucher redemptions made before April 1, 2019.
- The post-discount price of the game must have increased by at least 50 cents between Jan. 1, 2017, and March 31, 2019, compared to the period from April 1, 2019, through Dec. 31, 2023.
A complete list of eligible games is available for review on the official Top Class Actions coverage page and the settlement’s live website.
How to Claim Your Settlement Payout
For eligible consumers with active accounts, the claims process requires no paperwork. Gamers who fit all the criteria are automatically considered class members. Once the settlement receives final approval, funds will be added directly to their PlayStation Network (PSN) account wallet.
However, the process differs for users who no longer maintain an active profile. Gamers who have deactivated their PlayStation Network accounts can still apply for the settlement payment by sending their qualifying purchase information to [email protected]. Customers with deactivated accounts will receive cash payments rather than PSN account credits.
Individual payouts are expected to be modest, with estimates suggesting amounts between $1 and $3 per eligible purchase after administrative costs and attorneys’ fees—which can take up to 25% of the total fund—are deducted.
Important Dates and Upcoming Hearings
The settlement remains subject to a final approval hearing scheduled for Oct. 15. This hearing is intended to confirm the final settlement sum, allocate funds for attorneys’ fees, and officially establish a plan to distribute the remaining money to eligible class members.
The deadline for class members with deactivated accounts to submit their purchase information is Aug. 27. Meanwhile, the deadline for individuals wishing to exclude themselves or object to the terms of the settlement passed on July 2.
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