Accusations of artificially high prices for certain digital PlayStation games have led to a preliminary settlement under which Sony has agreed to pay $7.85 million.
Here's what to know
A federal court in California has given the agreement preliminary approval, according to The Independent. Restrictions on where and how certain digital games could be sold form the basis of the lawsuit's allegations that Sony violated federal antitrust requirements and certain state competition laws.
The qualifying purchase window for games bought from the PlayStation Store runs from April 1, 2019, through Dec. 31, 2023.
Eligibility also depends on a price increase of at least 50 cents after a game transitions from store vouchers to digital-only sales. That transition must have occurred between Jan. 1, 2017, and March 31, 2019.
Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China is among the eight reportedly affected titles, alongside games in The Last of Us and Call of Duty franchises, according to The Hill.
More background
According to The Independent, inflated prices for certain digital PlayStation games are at the heart of the users' claims about Sony's control of that market.
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A court has not yet decided the underlying allegations, and Sony has not admitted wrongdoing.
Individual payment amounts remain undetermined. Eligible users will split the settlement funds left after setting aside up to a quarter for legal fees, taxes, and costs.
Sony also faces a separate class-action lawsuit in the United Kingdom over allegations that requiring digital purchases through its store limited competition and inflated prices. The company denies those accusations, maintaining that its system is fair and common in gaming.
What can be done?
Buyers can use the game list on the settlement website to check whether their purchases qualify. Once the settlement is approved, eligible users with active PlayStation Network accounts will receive payment as wallet credits, according to The Independent.
Buyers who have deactivated their accounts must provide a current address and qualifying-purchase information to apply for a cash payment.
The deadline to opt out is July 2. Users must send their request in writing to the federal district court's San Francisco Division in California's Northern District.
The allocation of the remaining settlement money among eligible PlayStation users and other distribution details will be finalized after the final fairness hearing, which is scheduled for Oct. 15.
Where can I learn more?
The PlayStation settlement has parallels with other disputes over prices, fees, and restrictions on consumer choice.
• The FTC alleges Dollar General knew shoppers were overcharged but failed to fix the problem.
• GoPro's HERO13 Black price jumped $30 after assurances that tariffs would not raise prices.
• A Pennsylvania bill would require game publishers to offer offline play, a patch, or refunds.
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