Users on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 consoles are reporting a new digital rights management system that imposes a 30-day validation timer on digital purchases made from March onward. Without an internet connection after the timer expires, licenses may be revoked, according to demonstrations by modders and preservationists. Sony has not issued a statement on the matter.
Over the past few days, multiple reports have emerged about a potential DRM change affecting PS4 and PS5 digital games. Content creator Modded Hardware uploaded a video on April 24 demonstrating that games purchased from March show a PlayStation Plus-style expiry date when running the latest PS4 firmware version 13.50. Lance McDonald amplified the issue in an X post on April 25, stating that every new digital game requires an online check-in every 30 days or the license will be removed. DoesItPlay, a video game preservation community, replicated the problem and shared evidence on X the same day. “Potential major DRM issue rolled out by PlayStation (and Xbox as well, allegedly),” their post read. “All new PSN purchases now have a 30 day validation countdown.” An anonymous insider cited by DoesItPlay described the feature as an unintentional bug stemming from Sony fixing an exploit, with the confusing user interface previously overlooked. Later on April 25, a DoesItPlay playtester provided further details, claiming the timer is functional: games become unplayable once expired. They tested this by depleting the PS4's CMOS battery, which maintains the system clock offline, rendering a recently purchased copy of Super Meat Boy Forever inaccessible even on a primary console. While PS4 evidence is confirmed, PS5 reports remain unverified in available demonstrations. Fans expressed alarm over eroding ownership rights amid a shift toward always-online ecosystems. Publications have reached out to Sony for clarification amid ongoing investigations.
