Sony faces lawsuit for allegedly inflating PlayStation games' prices

Sony is fighting a London lawsuit worth almost £2 billion ($2.7 billion) that accuses the PlayStation maker of using its dominant position to inflate prices for digital games and add-ons, the latest major consumer case to go to trial in Britain.

According to a report by Reuters on the matter, the case, which was brought at the Competition Appeal Tribunal on behalf of around 12 million people in the United Kingdom, alleges that Sony requires digital games and content for its console to be bought and sold only through the PlayStation Store. Claimants argue this practice excludes competition and results in higher prices compared to physical games.

The lawsuit was previously valued at up to £5 billion but has since dropped to £1.97 billion, adds the report. Alex Neill, who is leading the case, said in a statement that "gamers have paid too much and they should get some money back." Her lawyer, Robert Palmer, told the tribunal that Sony "can and does set the retail prices without facing any retail competition for digital content," allowing it to obtain monopoly profits.

Sony argues it has "invested years and billions" in building an integrated gaming platform that benefits consumers in a competitive market. The company points to rivals Nintendo and Microsoft's Xbox, which use similar models, describes the Reuters report. Its lawyers also contend that the margin Sony earns on game sales is not excessive, arguing the lawsuit ignores the company's costs and the value of its brand.

Sony sold 8 million PlayStation 5 consoles between October and December, as per the company's latest quarter earnings report.

The case is the third against a major tech company to go to trial in Britain since the start of 2025. Last year, the tribunal ruled against Apple in a separate App Store case, a decision Apple is seeking to appeal. A trial of a lawsuit against Google is due to begin in October, though Fortnite maker Epic Games withdrew its claim this week after Google announced changes to its Play Store practices, further adds the report.