Stop Killing Games join lawsuit against the PlayStation Store’s “Sony Tax,” in latest venture beyond game preservation
A game preservation advocacy group has aligned with a 2024 Dutch consumer lawsuit contending that Sony maintains monopoly control over digital PlayStation game distribution and uses this power to set prices higher than physical retail equivalents. The suit seeks refunds for consumers who paid premium prices on the PlayStation Store, and the complainants argue Sony's 2028 plan to discontinue physical game sales will eliminate the only remaining competitive pricing pressure.
The organisation's involvement marks a shift toward broader consumer advocacy beyond its original mandate of securing legislation for offline access to discontinued games. Following unsuccessful campaigns for European Commission rule changes and a failed California bill requiring publishers to provide refunds or alternatives for shut-down titles, the group has diversified into related consumer protection concerns including digital ownership rights and streaming service restrictions.
- Stop Killing Games has joined a Dutch lawsuit alleging Sony's PlayStation Store operates as an illegal monopoly that overcharges for digital games compared to physical retail
- Sony's announced plan to eliminate physical releases by 2028 would remove the sole competing distribution channel
- The group is expanding beyond game preservation advocacy into broader consumer rights issues after setbacks on core legislation efforts