Sony has moved to reassure PlayStation users after confusion over a newly discovered digital rights management (DRM) system sparked fears of restricted access to purchased games on PS4 and PS5 consoles.

Reports emerged last week suggesting Sony had quietly introduced a 30-day online “check-in” requirement for digital titles.

The discovery, tied to a recent firmware update, led to concerns that players could lose access to games if their consoles remained offline or if PlayStation Network services were unavailable.

But Sony has now clarified that the system is far less restrictive. In statements to multiple outlets, the company confirmed that digital purchases only require a one-time online authentication to validate ownership. Once completed, the game license becomes permanent and can be accessed offline without further checks.

The confusion appears to stem from how Sony now issues licenses. Instead of granting a permanent license immediately, newly purchased games initially receive a temporary one. According to community investigations, this converts to a permanent license after a single online validation – likely timed to occur after Sony’s 14-day refund window.

While Sony has not officially confirmed the reasoning, the change is widely believed to target refund abuse and piracy exploits. Previously, some users reportedly extracted license files from purchased games, refunded them and retained access illegitimately.

The backlash also reflects deeper industry sensitivities around DRM. Gamers quickly drew comparisons to Microsoft’s ill-fated Xbox One launch in 2013, where planned always-online requirements triggered widespread criticism and were ultimately scrapped.

Sony has faced similar scrutiny before, including concerns around hardware limitations – such as the PS5’s internal clock battery issue – that could impact game access.