Recent reports from users indicate that Sony has implemented a Digital Rights Management (DRM) measure for PlayStation 4 (PS4) and PlayStation 5 (PS5) games. The latest system firmware update, released on March 26th, has introduced a 30-day restriction on digital games purchased from that date onwards. This effectively acts as a revocable license, necessitating at least monthly internet connection for the console to retain ‘offline’ access to legally acquired games.
This measure is currently applied to PS Plus games, which verify active online subscription status before launching. For games purchased directly from the Sony store, this is particularly concerning. If, for any reason, you lose internet access for a month, or even if the console’s CMOS battery depletes, you risk losing access to games whose 30-day period has expired until you reconnect.
Apparently, setting the system as ‘primary’ does not bypass this restriction, nor do the PS5’s console sharing and offline play options.
Some may wonder who doesn’t have internet for their consoles in 2026. However, this issue isn’t strictly about having or not having internet access – although individuals unable to afford it for a month are clearly affected – but rather highlights the lack of true ownership users have over their digital purchases. This is an unacceptable situation for major companies like Sony, Microsoft, or Nintendo.
Currently, it appears this measure is being rolled out progressively, meaning some users might see these timers on their PS4 and PS5 digital games purchased since March, while others might not. This is similar to the dynamic pricing Sony has been experimenting with on PlayStation accounts for some time. We will continue to monitor developments and report on any updates regarding this matter.
Sony has yet to issue any statement on the matter, maintaining a profound silence.
Related Articles
- Digital Games for PlayStation Purchased from March Onwards Have a Revocable 30-Day License if You Don’t Connect to the Internet
- Shuhei Yoshida Says He Was Fired from PlayStation Studios Because He Refused to Obey Jim Ryan
- These are the PS Plus Extra and Deluxe Games for April 2026
- PlayStation Wants to Scan Players to Put Them in Their Games, But It Raises Concerns
- These are the PS Plus Essential Games in April 2026
This content was first published on GamerFocus.
