Going forward, all new digitally purchased games will require the console on which the game is installed to go online at least every 30 days. This was noticed by YouTuber Lance McDonald, who shared his findings on social media (link goes to X/Twitter).
If more than 30 days have passed since the last online license verification for a game, the game cannot be played. Access to the game will return once the console is connected to the internet again and verifies the game's license.
The change will apply to all new digitally purchased games bought through Sony's online store for both PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.
The change does not apply to previously purchased digital downloads, nor does it apply to physically purchased games.
Apparently, the change was not meant to be implemented yet, at least a game historian referring to insider sources (X/Twitter link) claims. According to him, Sony apparently accidentally already put the updated digital rights management system into use.
But whether the timing of the change was intentional or unintentional, a change to the terms of use for digitally purchased games is clearly coming to PlayStation.
Such changes become problematic when Sony eventually shuts down its servers and game license verifications no longer work. It is also likely that game publishers may request Sony to discontinue license verifications for their own releases - after which those games will simply stop working.
Games have only begun to be seriously considered as works belonging to cultural history in the last decade. And the solutions now implemented by Sony significantly hinder the preservation of games in playable form for future generations.
In response, the Stop Killing Games initiative has emerged online, demanding changes to legislation. According to the initiative, games should be playable forever, and game companies should not be able to dictate when a game's lifecycle ends.
Update: Sony has clarified the changes - and online activation is only required once, not every 30 days
Written by: Petteri Pyyny @ 26 Apr 2026 12:01
