Sony Hit with Class Action Lawsuit Over High Digital Game Prices — Group Claims ‘Sony Tax’ Causes Digital Games to Average 47% More Than Discs

Okay, so here’s the thing. Dutch PlayStation fans are… well, they’re not thrilled. There’s this whole ‘Sony tax’ situation that just sounds wild. They’re banding together, all shouting in unison through what’s called a class action lawsuit against Sony. Which, let’s be honest, sounds kinda dramatic, but here we are. They’re saying that buying games digitally is bizarrely more expensive than picking up a physical copy. Like, almost half more. Seriously, who decided on this pricing strategy? Anyway, folks behind this ‘Fair PlayStation’ campaign reckon Sony’s been playing big fish in their small pond for over ten years. Blocking other app stores, making it all about them. Oh, and 1.7 million Dutch gamers are apparently paying way more than they should. We’re talking €435 million ($505 million) extra. Since 2013. Let that sink in for a sec.

It doesn’t matter where you set up your console—PS5 stuff is pricey. You’re eyeing $69.99 for new releases in the States. Isn’t that just lovely? Sony’s got a tight grip on its digital store pricing, and while physical game sellers are duking it out for buyers, the digital-only crowd is kinda stuck in a pricey echo chamber. We’re slowly waving goodbye to the days of price wars, thanks to this digital push.

Heard from Lucia Melcherts? She’s leading this charge with Stichting Massaschade & Consument, pushing ‘Fair PlayStation’ ideals. If you’re feeling the pinch in your wallet, she says Sony’s got some explaining to do. Unilateral decisions, more money, same games. Honestly, it’s like watching a frog slowly get boiled, which is a vivid image, I know. Things cranked up another notch when price hikes hit in April.

How can Sony just up prices like that? Bold move, right? Melcherts thinks it’s monopolistic flair on full display. 2025 seems like a big year for boldness, or maybe just audacity. Digital was supposed to be cheap! Well, turns out not. Not with these monopolistic walls firmly in place—competing digital stores just can’t catch a break.

The ‘Fair PlayStation’ campaign declares Sony’s raking it in, what with digital sales margins doubling, holding 80% of the Dutch market, and all sorts of anti-competitive shenanigans. It’s not peachy for publishers and developers either, stuck in this single-store loop.

First court glare is set for later in 2025. Everyone’s hoping the Dutch legal eagle squad will crack this case open, forcing Sony to let others in on the digital sales party. Oh, and by the way, if you’re really into hardware stuff, make sure you’re keeping tabs on Tom’s Hardware on Google News. You’ll want to hit that follow button for more deep dives and snippets.