this post was submitted on 25 Apr 2026
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A Boring Dystopia

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[PlayStation] [DRM] Licenses now requires an online check-in every 30 days. (xcancel.com)
submitted 2 weeks ago by Viking_Hippie@lemmy.dbzer0.com to c/aboringdystopia@lemmy.world
17 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/46052675

Hugely terrible DRM has now been rolled out to all PS4 and PS5 digital games. Every digital game you buy now requires an online check-in every 30 days. If you buy a digital game and don't connect your console to the internet for 30 days, your license will be removed.

Source [2026-04-25; +image]

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You wouldn't "lose" it, the licence would be restored after connecting to internet... provided Sony's servers are still functioning when you do...

Source [2026-04-25]

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...Trophies on PS4 require the internal system clock (the one you can’t see / alter) to be correct, so people cant change their PS4 date/time to make it look like they got trophies earlier than they really did. If your PS4 clock battery dies, all your games die

Source [2021-03-23]

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Newly purchased PS4 games now have 30 day valid license timer.
Most likely introduced in March 2026 firmware.
Could be a bug similar to an incident from 2022.
PS5 is affected too, but only shows an error when starting a game.

Source [2026-04-25]

[Image] "Don't Starve Together" (PlayStation)

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[–] Mojitas@lemmy.world 15 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Is the license lost forever if you don't do the check ins?

[–] MoogleMaestro@lemmy.zip 8 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

My guess would be no. I think this is effectively a "log in to play this game again" check that will happen if you are disconnected from the service for a month, basically.

Honestly, I would prefer they adopt a game-key-card approach if this is really the direction they're going to take. At least a physical key would make more sense than a digital key that needs constant online connection for validity.

[–] halcyoncmdr@piefed.social 9 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Honestly, I would prefer they adopt a game-key-card approach if this is really the direction they're going to take.

That's what a disc does on modern consoles.

[–] MoogleMaestro@lemmy.zip 1 points 2 weeks ago

Granted, sure, but they don't even need the data (or a disc, for that matter) and that would still beat forcing a login every 30 days (at least IMO)

[–] Hakuso@scribe.disroot.org 11 points 2 weeks ago

They lost me when they started putting ads in the console home menu.

This is just more reason that my Sony connection is now limited to PCSX2, RPCS3, and Vita3k

[–] BETYU@moist.catsweat.com 8 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

if they take it away they better give my money back

[–] Sludgehammer@lemmy.world 14 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

That's the fun part, you never "bought" anything! In this bold new era of technofudalism you don't own anything, you merely bought a license temporarily allowing you to use it, and that license can expire or be revoked at any time, for any reason!

[–] BETYU@moist.catsweat.com 1 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

i think this all makes the steam machine even better

[–] CriticalMiss@lemmy.world 6 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (2 children)

Hate to disappoint you but Steam isn’t exempted from this. Will they ever do it? Unlikely, but the clause is in their subscriber agreement.

[–] Doc_Crankenstein@slrpnk.net 4 points 2 weeks ago

Not so long as Gabe is alive at least. I have very little faith in Steam staying the same after he inevitably passes the torch.

[–] BETYU@moist.catsweat.com 1 points 2 weeks ago

you would have options to use other stores something that does not exist with consoles

[–] magic_smoke@lemmy.blahaj.zone 5 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

Jokes on them, only digital ps game I own is tlou2 on a ps4 which has been powered off for like three years.

Not like I had a reason to put it back online anytime soon.

[–] BigPotato@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Jokes on them, all my PS4 games a FPKG. It'll never go online.

[–] cybernihongo@reddthat.com 1 points 2 weeks ago

Jokes on them, I only have a PS3 and Vita as the only consoles that have PSN. And I only have like five PSN games on the latter to worry about. The rest are, well, discs or PKGs.

[–] RoquetteQueen@sh.itjust.works 5 points 2 weeks ago

I moved several months ago and have yet to connect my PS4 to the internet. Looks like I never will.

[–] bridgeenjoyer@sh.itjust.works 2 points 2 weeks ago

There's a reason I'm buying up all the old consoles and CRTs. Can't touch my shit, I own it.