Earlier this week, PlayStation owners found that a new validation check has been implemented onto newly purchased digital games. The change was seen after the recent March system update for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. The count-down timer was feared to be an online check-in system that would need monthly connections to the PlayStation network to keep games playable. After days of speculations and user testing, Sony has finally put out a statement about the change.
A representative from Sony has now said that the new license check is legitimate for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 digital games, but it won't be a continually occurring one.
“Players can continue to access and play their purchased games as usual," Sony has said to Gamespot. "A one-time online check is required after purchase to confirm the game’s license, after which no further check-ins are needed."
The company hasn't given any further clarifications on why the sudden DRM and license change was made without prior warnings. The reason for its implementation has also not been provided.
One popular theory for the one-time check and 30-day validation period is as an anti-piracy measure. Sony may be targeting users that are exploiting the refund periods on its consoles to claim legitimate licenses and returning the games within the 14-day period. With the new 30-day confirmation system, Sony may be waiting to give the user a permanent license until the refund period is over, seemingly blocking the exploit method.
All things considered, it doesn't look like Sony has changed the long-term license system of digitally purchased games. Following its new one-time online check, single-player games without online systems should be playable indefinitely while offline. As usual, physical game owners on PlayStation do not have to worry about any of the changes.
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