'Please be fake' PlayStation fans panic as Sony seemingly introduces ridiculous new '30-day license check' on digital games

Date:
Tue, 28 Apr 2026 11:38:31 +0000

Description:
Sony is under fire yet again in 2026, but it's not due to increasing PlayStation hardware prices, but rather a new rumored DRM measure.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Sony is under fire for new rumored '30-day license check' for digital purchases on PS5 and PS4 consoles The DRM feature was spotted by several users, and seems to only impact purchases made after the March system update Sony is yet to explain whether the feature is intentional or a bug Sony has been under fire over the last
few months over significant price hikes on PlayStation 5 and PS Portal hardware amid the ongoing memory crisis and wider economic struggles. Unfortunately, the company is back in the spotlight again, for the wrong reasons and arguably the worst yet.

As reported by VideoCardz , several PlayStation users spotted a new '30-day license check' on digitally purchased games on PS5 and PS4. This supposedly revokes game licenses if users don't log in or connect their console to the internet within 30 days, meaning that they can no longer be played until the console is connected to the internet again. This seemingly only applies to games that have been bought after the latest March system update, and reportedly won't impact previous purchases. Article continues below You may like Sony is reportedly testing dynamic pricing on its PlayStation storefront that changes the price tag of over 190 games PlayStation users are now being asked for age verification in the UK and Ireland, or risk losing access to communication features when it soon becomes mandatory PlayStation users in
the UK could be collectively awarded billions in compensation for 'excessive and unfair' PlayStation Store charges in class-action lawsuit against Sony

Unsurprisingly, the situation has left several users panicking, effectively labelling the measure as a new form of console digital right management - or DRM. Comment from r/GamingLeaksAndRumours Comment from
r/GamingLeaksAndRumours Update: A user asked Ps support and confirmed DRM issue is intentional and not Bug. pic.twitter.com/n6Xpd6LYh5 April 27, 2026 (Image credit: Shutterstock / Mohsen Vaziri) It has also sparked comparisons to Microsoft 's Xbox One controversy back in 2013, when it revealed a DRM feature that required users to be online every 24 hours or games would stop working, alongside frustrating restrictions on game resales.

Notably, Sony famously mocked Microsoft with a short video on how to share games on PS4 , but now in 2026, Sony is seemingly following suit. That's, of course, if this new license check is intentional.

Concerned users have already reached out to PlayStation's chat support, and based on the replies, it appears as though this new DRM measure is indeed intentional, despite suggestions that it may be a bug. We've reached out to Sony for a statement, but haven't received a response yet. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

If this is a fully intended feature, then it will undoubtedly place Sony in consumers' bad books. Microsoft was forced to walk back on its initial DRM feature thanks to strong backlash, and it won't be a surprise to see the same pressure mounted on its rival this time around. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/gaming/playstation/please-be-fake-playstation-fans-p anic-as-sony-seemingly-introduces-ridiculous-new-30-day-license-check-on-digit al-games


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