£2bn PlayStation trial begins as 12 million UK gamers claim Sony inflated digital game prices

Opening arguments heard in case alleging Sony charged 20% more for digital games by blocking competition.

A 10-week trial examining whether Sony overcharged 12 million UK gamers for digital games and add-on content has begun at the Competition Appeal Tribunal, with opening arguments heard on Tuesday.

The £2 billion lawsuit, led by Consumer Voice co-founder Alex Neill, alleges that Sony used its total control over the PlayStation Store to inflate prices by preventing any alternative digital retailers from selling PlayStation games. Evidence presented to the court suggests digital versions of games cost around 20% more than physical copies.

The trial heard that Sony has “monopolised” digital distribution from the outset by designing the PlayStation console and operating system to prevent downloads from any source other than the PlayStation Store, and by imposing restrictive licence conditions on game publishers.

Alex Neill, Class Representative, said:

“The start of this trial, after years of litigation, is a milestone moment for the 12 million people who we say have overpaid for digital games and add-on content for nearly a decade.

“We say that Sony abused its total control over the PlayStation Store to inflate prices for gamers to the tune of £2 billion. This case seeks to bring that conduct to an end and to secure compensation for those affected.”

Sign up to Consumer Voice to stay informed about the PlayStation trial and other consumer compensation cases.

What happened at the trial opening

The Tribunal heard opening arguments from the legal team representing UK gamers, who outlined how Sony allegedly excluded all competition from digital game sales on PlayStation.

The court was told that Sony has maintained exclusive control over digital distribution on PlayStation consoles for nearly a decade through three interconnected restrictions:

• Contractual restrictions: It is a contractual condition of being able to develop or publish any content at all for PlayStation that it not be digitally distributed through any other means than the PlayStation network and store without Sony’s consent.
• Technical restrictions: PlayStation consoles are designed to prevent downloads of digital content from any source other than Sony’s own store.
• Licensing restrictions: Users are prevented from seeking to bypass these controls to obtain content from other sources.

Robert Palmer KC told the tribunal: “The result is that Sony can and does set the retail prices of all such content itself without facing any retail competition for digital content. It allows it to obtain monopoly profits from digital distribution, setting retail prices at what it refers to as its target margin of an excessive and unfair 30% above the level of the digital wholesale prices.”

This contrasts sharply with physical games, where retailers like Amazon, GAME and supermarkets compete on price, and where Sony typically charges publishers a much lower royalty of around 20% of the wholesale price. The court heard evidence that physical copies of games are, on average, 20% cheaper than digital versions.

PlayStation games were supplied on discs when the console was launched in the UK in 1995, but most are now downloaded for the latest PS5 model. The PS5 has sold more than 90 million units since its release in 2020, becoming one of the 10 best-selling games consoles. Its cheapest model does not have a disc drive, although the standard version retains the option for physical media.

The case claims Sony has unfairly profited from the shift to digital, which has been driven by changing consumer preferences and faster internet connections.

Internal Sony documents presented to the court showed the company has consistently rejected or restricted requests from major publishers to offer alternative digital distribution options. Between 2009 and 2018, publishers including Ubisoft and Electronic Arts made repeated requests to sell PlayStation games through their own digital stores or services, but these were either refused or only permitted under conditions that protected Sony’s monopoly.

The legal team argued that had Sony not imposed these restrictions from the outset, there would have been genuine retail competition for digital PlayStation games, leading to lower prices for consumers.

Sony’s defence

Sony, in its defence to the claim, has told the court its distribution model is justified, partly because permitting use of third-party stores for downloads would introduce security and privacy risks.

The company has also said it invests heavily in hardware, selling consoles at a relatively low margin to build a user base, and that the commission on digital sales is part of a cross-subsidisation strategy to cover these costs.

What the PlayStation claim is about

The £2 billion lawsuit alleges that Sony has breached competition law by abusing its market power and forcing up prices for consumers who buy digital games or add-on content through the PlayStation Store.

The claim argues that Sony has overcharged PlayStation customers by imposing unfair terms and conditions that allow the company to charge excessive commission on digital purchases. UK consumers who purchased games or in-app content are said to have overpaid as a result of Sony’s alleged anti-competitive practices.

The estimated damages per individual member of the class is £162 including interest.

When could gamers see compensation?

The trial began on 2 March and could run until 8 May. There won’t be an immediate judgment – the Tribunal typically takes several months after a trial concludes to deliver its ruling.

If Sony loses, there may be appeals, which could extend the timeline. Realistically, compensation distribution might begin in around a year if the claim succeeds without appeals, though it could take longer.

Settlement is also possible at any stage, as seen in other recent collective actions.

Who is eligible and what you need to do

UK consumers who purchased digital games or add-on content from the PlayStation Store between 19 August 2016 and 12 February 2026 are automatically included in the claim. You do not need to take any action unless you wish to opt out.

The opt-out deadline has now passed (9 March 2026). If you did not opt out, you remain part of the claim and will be eligible for compensation if it succeeds.

You may be eligible if:

• You (or a member of your family) own a PS4 or PS5, or owned one between 19 August 2016 and 12 February 2026
• You spent money buying digital games or in-app purchases from the PlayStation Store
• You live in the UK

There is nothing you need to do now. Sign up to Consumer Voice to follow the trial and receive updates on when and how you can claim if the case succeeds.

Visit the PlayStation claim website for more information.