Stop Killing Games Backs Sony Class Action in Netherlands
The support from Stop Killing Games and DoesItPlay extends the Dutch lawsuit's reach beyond national borders, linking it to a broader international pattern of legal challenges, including the ongoing 'PlayStation You Owe Us' case in the UK.
Key Facts
- Stop Killing Games and DoesItPlay announced support for the class action lawsuit against Sony filed by Dutch non-profit Stichting Massaschade & Consument (SM&C).
- SM&C's lawsuit, initiated in early 2025, claims digital versions of games cost on average up to 47% more than physical versions.
- Sony announced in July 2026 that it will end physical media production for new PlayStation games in January 2028.
- The lawsuit seeks fair game pricing, alternatives to the PlayStation Store, and the return of profits Sony allegedly obtained unfairly from Dutch gamers.
- Dutch gamers can register to join the lawsuit via the SM&C website.
Reporting from 2 sources: GameBusiness.jp, Game Spark.
The game preservation movement Stop Killing Games and the preservation activist group DoesItPlay have announced support for a class action lawsuit against Sony filed by the Dutch non-profit organization Stichting Massaschade & Consument (SM&C). The lawsuit, initiated in early 2025, argues that Sony monopolizes the PlayStation digital game market by limiting sales to its own store, creating what SM&C calls a "Sony tax" that forces consumers to pay unfair prices. According to SM&C, digital versions of games cost on average up to 47% more than physical versions. The lawsuit seeks fair game pricing, alternatives to the PlayStation Store, and the return of profits Sony allegedly obtained unfairly from Dutch gamers. Stop Killing Games stated on its official YouTube channel that it fully supports the SM&C lawsuit and backs its claims in the Dutch court. SM&C warns that Sony's announced policy to end physical media production in January 2028 will give Sony even greater control over the sale, pricing, and conditions of new PlayStation games, and raises concerns about the disappearance of the second-hand game market. Dutch gamers can register to join the lawsuit via the SM&C website.
The Dutch lawsuit, filed by SM&C in early 2025, predates Sony's July 2026 announcement that it will end physical disc production for new PlayStation games in January 2028. SM&C argues that this decision will give Sony even greater control over the sale, pricing, and conditions of new PlayStation games within its own ecosystem, and warns that the second-hand game market could disappear, further limiting consumer choice.
Stop Killing Games, known for its campaigns pushing for game preservation legislation, said on its official YouTube channel: "We fully support the SM&C lawsuit. We back SM&C's claims in the Dutch court. Our support underpins it globally, and every Dutch gamer who participates directly underpins it." The group's backing, along with DoesItPlay, adds weight to the case, which seeks fair pricing, alternatives to the PlayStation Store, and restitution of profits Sony allegedly obtained unfairly from Dutch gamers.
The lawsuit is similar to the UK's 'PlayStation You Owe Us' case, and follows criticism from UK retail body ERA, whose CEO Kim Bailey said "corporate interests have overridden consumer choice" after Sony's disc production announcement.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 2 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.