A yearslong battle between Sony PlayStation and its customers might soon be coming to an end after the approval of a preliminary settlement agreement for a class-action lawsuit on April 29.
The lawsuit dates back to 2023, involving Sony’s decision to stop selling game-specific vouchers by third-party vendors, meaning the company would no longer allow the purchase of digital download cards from retailers like Amazon, GameStop, or Walmart, leaving Sony as the sole seller.
Plaintiffs argue that the company violated federal antitrust law by eliminating competition for the sale of the game-specific vouchers, according to a press release by the plaintiffs’ law firm.
Sony has denied wrongdoing. The settlement has undergone several revisions since 2024. Still, no court has ruled that Sony did indeed break any laws, and Sony has in the past come out and said the reasoning behind settling was “to avoid the further expense and distraction of continued litigation,” Reuters reported.
Here’s what to know about the settlement.
How big is the payout?
The preliminary settlement approved by a judge in the Northern District of California could provide $7.85 million distributed to those affected. According to court documents, around 4 million users were automatically enrolled in the class-action.
The amount distributed to individuals is still unclear, although reports state that around 25% of the settlement funds will go toward attorneys’ fees.
Who is eligible for a payout?
Users who are U.S. residents and purchased at least one digital game between April 1, 2019, and December 31, 2023, via the PlayStation Store may be eligible. Eligible games are listed here, including popular titles like The Last of Us, Resident Evil 4, and FIFA.
How can I claim a payout?
Most users who still have an active PlayStation Network profile will not need to take further action, with payments deposited to the wallet associated with the user’s account. Those with deactivated profiles will need to file a written request by emailing info@PSNDigitalGamesSettlement.com and sending in proof of purchase.
Those wishing to opt out of the settlement will retain their rights to sue and will need to send a written request by July 2, 2026.