Why is PlayStation facing lawsuits from thousands of Gamers?
(Image via Getty Images)
Sony
's PlayStation is confronting a massive legal battle all across Europe. The class action lawsuit has accused Sony of some unfair practices that center on the dominance of digital game stores and the impact they have on consumer wallets.
The core grievance here revolves around a perceived PlayStation's market control, leading to unexpected results that impact the gamers at last.
Why is PlayStation being targeted by Gamers?
The lawsuit, led by the Stichting Massaschade & Consument consumer group, targets Sony and its exclusive control over the digital game sales on the PlayStation consoles. It's been claimed by gamers that they are being forced to buy all the digital titles directly from the PlayStation digital store.
It eliminates any competitive pricing from any third-party retailers.
Quite critically, it's been alleged via a suit that Sony's monopoly allows it to set artificially higher prices. Economic research even suggests that digital games cost the Dutch consumers approx. 47% higher than identical physical discs. Such a significant price gap persists despite digital distribution being cheaper for Sony, thereby eliminating expenses like logistic and physical production costs.
PlayStation lawsuits
bring Sony's market dominance under scrutiny
Central to the lawsuit is Sony's overwhelming market position in the Netherlands. It is estimated to own 80% of the console market. It's asserted by consumer group that such dominance allows Sony to operate without any meaningful competition. They even claim that Sony exploits its position, completely blocking all other potential app stores from having access to PlayStation consoles.
The lack of alternatives, together with a push towards only digital consoles like PS5 Digital Edition, locks consumers into Sony's ecosystem.
Gamers cannot buy cheaper physical games from any other retailers. The group has further stated that Sony makes pricing decisions, including the recent increases, without considering developers, competitors, or even consumer backlash. They do not have any fear of losing their customers.
Such control is seen as stifling the fair market dynamics there.
Stichting Massaschade & Consument seek damage and change
BIG PlayStation Store LAWSUIT - OVERPRICED PSN Store Games?
The lawsuit is not just about past grievances, but it demands some significant restitution.
As per Stichting Massaschade & Consument estimates, the Dutch gamers have, since 2013, overpaid approx. €435 million ($505 million) due to such alleged practices. They are now seeking compensation for such purported damages that were suffered by approx. 1.7 million Dutch PlayStation owners.
Beyond compensation for gamers, plaintiffs even seek some fundamental change. They want the court to force Sony to open the PlayStation platform for competing digital game sellers. It will introduce real competition. It will potentially lower prices and increase the consumer choice for making digital purchases on PlayStation consoles. The first hearing of this lawsuit against Sony monopoly, is anticipated for late 2025.
Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Sabrina Carpenter unveils new cover for Man's Best Friend: ‘Approved by God'
Sabrina Carpenter has finally responded to the controversy surrounding her next album, Man's Best Friend, and its cover in her own subtle way. The pop icon has now dropped a new cover on Instagram and said that it has been approved by 'god' himself. In the black and white poster, Sabrina can be seen in a sleeveless gown, clutching onto the arm of a man, who is looking away from the camera. In the background, we can spot a few other men, dressed in formals. Sabrina Carpenter unveiled an alternative cover for Man's Best Friend(Getty Images via AFP) The Grammy-winning singer's caption read, 'I signed some copies of Man's Best Friend for you guys & here is a new alternate cover approved by God available now on my website.' What was the controversy? A few weeks ago, Sabrina Carpenter announced Man's Best Friend. At that time, the star also revealed a cover art featuring her on her knees in a black little dress. In front of her was a man clutching her hair. The cover stirred a debate online, with many labeling it inappropriate. Sabrina Carpenter's 7th Album: Man's Best Friend Man's Best Friend marks Sabrina Carpenter's seventh studio album. She has earlier released Eyes Wide Open, Evolution, Singular: Act I, Singular: Act II, Emails I Can't Send and Short n' Sweet. Busy Tour Schedule Ahead Sabrina Carpenter will perform at London's iconic Hyde Park on July 5 and 6. Then, the star will impress her fans at Lollapalooza on August 3. In October, she will perform at both weekends of Austin City Limits (October 4 and 11). Later in the year, Sabrina will begin another part of her Short n' Sweet tour in North America. This includes three concerts each at Madison Square Garden in New York and Arena in Los Angeles. ALSO READ: Offset reveals Sabrina Carpenter as his celebrity crush: 'Great taste in her…' FAQs 1. Why was Sabrina Carpenter's Man's Best Friend album cover controversial? The original cover showed her kneeling while a man held her hair. 2. What does 'approved by God' mean in Sabrina's new album cover post? It is a tongue-in-cheek response from Sabrina, showing she stands by her creative choices. 3. How many albums has Sabrina Carpenter released so far? Man's Best Friend marks Sabrina Carpenter's seventh studio album. She has earlier released Eyes Wide Open, Evolution, Singular: Act I, Singular: Act II, Emails I Can't Send and Short n' Sweet.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
How NBA Draft prospect Ace Bailey became an ace in the court of basketball
How NBA Draft prospect Ace Bailey became an ace in the court of basketball (Image Source: Getty Images) Ace Bailey declared for the 2025 NBA Draft after making a name for himself with the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. He was chosen as one of the five-star recruits and became one of the top players in the 2024 class, after a successful college campaign. But did you know that the name he goes by is not his real name? Ace Bailey was actually born Airious Bailey, but how did he get that nickname that has stuck with him, as he prepares for one of the biggest nights of his professional career? How did Ace Bailey get his ace nickname? The NBA Draft Day is upon us, and like all the others, Ace Bailey is no doubt getting ready for a night that will be the beginning of his professional career in the league. But before we get to that, let's go back in time and find out how exactly he got his nickname - Ace. Born Airious Bailey to college basketball players Ramika McGee of West Virginia University and Richard Bailey from Houston, Ace has strong ties to the game. He has been on and off the basketball court ever since he was a child, which no doubt was a big influence on him. He also had the talent for it, and mix it up with hard work and dedication, and you've got the perfect combo. He recently revealed how he became Ace from Airious, and it's all thanks to his coach. Speaking to Swish Cultures, he said: "Ace was a childhood name given to me by my league coach, shoutout to my coach. Been having that name ever since I was a kid, I just stuck with it, we just went by, Ace Ace Ace. So a lot of people don't even know my real name is Airious, so I tell people my real name is Ace, anyways. So I'll be like it's Ace." He was an Ace since childhood, and the name stuck. Now, Ace Bailey is all set to join the NBA and prove that he really is an ace player, coming to show his mettle on the court with his performance. Also Read: "I can only control what I can control" — Former Scarlet Knights player Ace Bailey breaks silence on his pre-draft approach Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
5 hours ago
- Business Standard
Netherlands-based firm Prosus sees IPO upside in India as portfolio matures
Dutch investment firm Prosus is managing $6.5 billion in assets across more than 30 Indian companies and has returned around $4 billion to shareholders, said Ashutosh Sharma, head of India investments, at the company's Capital Markets Day in London. Sharma described the firm's India portfolio as 'loosely coupled,' allowing its companies to leverage shared insights and infrastructure while maintaining operational independence. These are spanning across food delivery, e-commerce, payments, and experiences. Several of these companies, he noted, are nearing public-market readiness — a development expected to boost returns in the near term. Urban Company, which filed draft initial public offer (IPO) papers in April, is among the portfolio's more mature firms and is expected to go public later this year. Jewellery retailer BlueStone has also secured regulatory approval and is preparing for an imminent listing. Prosus has invested more than $8.6 billion in India, positioning the country as a key strategic market. The firm's portfolio includes Swiggy, Meesho, Byju's, Captain Fresh, and Urban Company, with Swiggy having a standout IPO last year. Prosus has also recently invested in Rapido, a fast-growing ride-hailing platform that now facilitates over 3 million rides daily and is expanding at more than 100 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y). Liquidity events from companies like MakeMyTrip, Swiggy, and Flipkart have generated significant returns. From Swiggy's IPO in November 2024, Prosus realised about $500 million from a cumulative $1.3 billion investment. The firm retains a 25 per cent stake in the company, which is currently valued at around $2.7 billion. Quick commerce At the event, Swiggy CEO Harsha Majety emphasised that its quick commerce business has surpassed food delivery in size and continues to redefine Indian online retail. The category, which started as a convenience solution, now includes 30,000–40,000 stock keeping units (SKUs) and is driving daily user behaviour across product categories like home goods and personal care. Swiggy's food delivery arm has reached profitability and aims to serve 100 million users 15 times a month. Majety pointed out that India is still early in its restaurant evolution. Also, mobility platform Rapido recently began piloting a food delivery service in Bengaluru. When asked about Rapido's foray into this segment, Majesty said 'It is not easy to just get an opening that you can go take a home run with. I think it will be interesting to see if there's an alternative take to food delivery that can grow the category, because we are waiting for some more growth as well.' He added, 'We are definitely super agile and paranoid. If we see a new opening, we are going to be all over it.' He said that there were a dozen players in food delivery in 2015. A year later Uber and Ola threw their hat into the ring. 'Then, in 2019, Amazon threw its hat into the ring. In 2021, there was the entry of ONDC,' said Majety. 'I think we do a pretty good job of serving the consumer.' Analysts expect limited disruption to India's entrenched food delivery giants. According to a recent report by Bernstein, the market remains a tight duopoly, with Zomato holding nearly 54 per cent share and rival Swiggy is at 46 per cent. While Swiggy has shown stronger Y-o-Y growth in gross order value (GOV), the US-based asset manager does not foresee Rapido's entry shifting the balance in the near term.
