Claims circulating online suggest Sony may have introduced a stricter DRM system for PS4 and PS5 digital games, though the information remains unverified. The discussion stems from posts by modder Lance McDonald, who alleged that newly purchased digital titles now require periodic online validation.
According to McDonald, “Every digital game you buy now requires an online check-in every 30 days,” adding that failure to connect within that period could result in the license being removed. He further stated, “Games you bought in the past seem to not have this issue, but any game you buy from now on will only work for 30 days without an online check-in,” and claimed that this behavior cannot be bypassed through standard settings such as activating a console as primary.
The claims have led to confusion among users, particularly given the lack of official communication from Sony. McDonald also referenced a video breakdown of the situation, while responding to skepticism by stating that many users misunderstand how PSN licensing functions.
If accurate, such a system would mark a notable shift in how digital ownership works on PlayStation platforms, particularly for players who remain offline for extended periods. Similar online verification systems already exist in some capacity on other platforms, though implementation varies.
Sony has not issued any statement addressing these claims, and the reported changes remain speculative.
