PlayStation's recent 30-day DRM verification is a setback for gamers.
Your PlayStation games could cease functioning if you remain offline
A recent change related to DRM on PlayStation has raised concerns within the gaming community. Reports indicate that some digital games on Sony’s PlayStation consoles might require an online check-in every 30 days to keep functioning. This means that the company can temporarily prevent you from playing your owned games if the system is unable to verify your license.
What’s happening
The problem seems to affect specific newly released digital titles, with users observing a sort of "timer" associated with license validation. If the console remains offline beyond this duration, the games might not launch until a new online check is performed. Tests conducted by users show that re-establishing an internet connection restores access, suggesting the process functions like a license verification system rather than a complete lockout.
However, the details are somewhat unclear. There is some confusion about whether this is an intended DRM policy or a bug resulting from recent firmware updates. PlayStation support has confirmed the existence of DRM checks, while Sony has yet to provide an official clarification on the matter.
Gamers’ reactions have been strong
As expected, the online reaction has been fervent. Within various Reddit discussions about the issue, many users are likening it to “always-online DRM,” a system that has historically been criticized for limiting access to paid content. Some are branding it as “anti-consumer,” while others are voicing worries about the long-term preservation of games and reliance on server availability.
Questions like “Do I no longer own my games?” and “What will happen when servers shut down years from now?” are frequently appearing on online forums, X, and Reddit. DRM systems requiring online validation are not new and have often sparked controversy. Always-online DRM has faced criticism for restricting players’ access to their purchases if servers fail or connections are lost.
Currently, it is unclear how widespread this issue is and whether Sony intends to address it. If this change is indeed intentional, it could significantly alter how PlayStation manages digital ownership in the future.
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PlayStation's recent 30-day DRM verification is a setback for gamers.
A 30-day online DRM verification for PlayStation digital games is generating criticism, as players are concerned they may lose access to their purchased games if they remain offline.