PlayStation Gamers Score Settlement: Sony’s $7.85 Million Deal Explained

In a hurry? Find out in minutes whether you’re eligible for PlayStation Network credits under Sony’s new $7.85 million settlement—then decide if you want to join the action.

Why PlayStation gamers sued Sony

Back in April 2019, Sony stopped allowing big-box retailers like Walmart, Best Buy, and GameStop to sell digital download vouchers for PlayStation games. According to gamers, that move:

• Eliminated competitive pricing on digital titles
• Forced players to buy exclusively through the PlayStation Store
• Inflated digital prices beyond physical disc costs—an alleged antitrust violation

The settlement at a glance

• Total fund: $7.85 million
• Payout form: PlayStation Network (PSN) credits—not cash
• Key features of the credits:
  • Never expire
  • Behave exactly like regular PSN wallet funds
  • Usable on any digital game, add-on, or in-game purchase
• Average award: ≈ $1.14 per qualifying account
• Maximum award: Up to $33, depending on purchase history

Who qualifies?

The deal covers roughly 4.4 million PlayStation users who purchased digital games tied to third-party vouchers that were sold at retailers before Sony’s April 2019 policy change. If you bought digital PS4 or PS5 titles using those codes, you’re likely on the list.

Are PSN credits “real” compensation?

Some class action settlements hand out coupons that expire quickly or limit what you can buy. The lawyers in this case say these credits are different because they:

1. Have no expiration date
2. Act as cash-equivalent funds in your PSN wallet
3. Don’t restrict which digital content you can purchase

In practical terms, they should function just like any money you load into your PlayStation account today.

What happens next?

The settlement still needs final court approval. Once that happens, eligible players will receive direct notice—typically via the email associated with their PlayStation Network ID—explaining how and when the credits will appear in their wallet.

Your action steps

1. Check the email tied to your PSN account for official settlement updates.
2. Review your digital purchase history prior to April 2019 to estimate your potential award.
3. Watch the quick explainer below to see if claiming is worth your time.