Sony Makes Funny Offer to Players in Antitrust Case

PlayStation Store pricing policies have long been a subject of controversy, but Sony‘s move to file a class-action lawsuit regarding this issue has drawn even more criticism. In an antitrust lawsuit filed against Sony over the sale of digital games exclusively through its store, Sony made headlines with its proposed settlement offer to gamers. However, the court deemed the per-user settlement insufficient, and the offer was rejected. While it remains unclear what players will gain from this lawsuit, all eyes are now on Sony’s new offer.

Sony’s $1.77 Coupon Rejected

Sony’s 2019 decision to sell PlayStation digital games exclusively through its store drew widespread criticism for eliminating retail competition and led to a lawsuit for locking users into a specific platform. As a result, a massive class-action lawsuit involving approximately 4.4 million gamers was filed.

Sony’s initial settlement offer in this case was a coupon worth $1.77 per player. However, the court deemed this low-value coupon to be “unfair and inadequate.” The offer was rejected, finding that the settlement provided no real benefit to players.

Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín emphasized that coupon-based solutions are generally undesirable and that users should receive the value they deserve. The inadequacy of Sony’s offer forced the company to come to court with a new plan.

The company’s 2019 decision not only controlled prices but also eliminated the option for players to purchase games elsewhere. This is an even more significant problem today, given the proliferation of digital-only consoles.

Sony’s new settlement plan is already eagerly anticipated. However, it appears that a few dollars in coupons will not be enough to regain player trust.

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