Sony Rolls Out 30-Day Online DRM Check-In For PlayStation Digital Games

Source: Slashdot

Overview

Sony is reportedly rolling out a 30‑day online check‑in requirement for some digital PS4 and PS5 games, meaning players could temporarily lose access if their console does not reconnect to renew the license. Tom’s Hardware reports that the info page of an affected game now shows a new validity period and a “remaining time” deadline. PlayStation Support has confirmed the change, and many PlayStation owners are expressing frustration — see the reaction on Twitter.

How the check‑in works

• The DRM applies to digital copies of games.
• A mandatory online check‑in is required within a rolling 30‑day window.
• If the console does not connect during that window, the game’s license expires and the player loses access.
• Access can be restored, but only after an internet connection is used to renew the license.
• So far, the issue appears limited to games installed after the recent March firmware update.

Impact on players

• Setting a PS4 or PS5 as the primary console does not bypass the check‑in policy.
• Any game downloaded from now on will feature this requirement, effectively removing offline play even for single‑player titles.