Sony confirms PS4 and PS5 digital games don't require an online check-in every 30 days — new DRM policy only checks once for license to combat against refund scams

For the past few days, the internet has been in turmoil over a new DRM policy for PS4 and PS5 games that supposedly forces you to check in online every 30 days. Without an official statement, speculation only intensified with many jumping to conclusions. Some were trying to figure out how the licensing worked under the hood, but we finally have a concrete answer now from Sony itself.

Speaking to GameSpot, an SIE rep clarified that "a one-time online check is required to confirm the game's license, after which no further check-ins are required." That means any digital game you download will remain playable even without an internet connection after 30 days; it just needs the initial check-in to convert the temporary license into a permanent one.

While the spokesperson didn't say why that was necessary, we have a pretty good idea, courtesy of DoesItPlay, who told Kotaku that it "might have to do with a refund scam." Basically, people would buy a game from the PS Store (website) and rip its license file, refund the game, but transfer the license file to an illegally acquired copy, allowing the game to bypass security restrictions and run as usual.

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The license file is typically only generated once the game starts downloading, but Sony's policy dictates that you can no longer refund a game once that happens, even within the 14-day return window. So, the bad actors use the PS Store website instead, which will issue the license on a jailbroken console without blowing the no-refund fuse. The new DRM policy is specifically designed to combat such activity.

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By first issuing a temporary, online-only license that requires an internet connection, Sony prevents it from getting ripped. Once the console pings Sony servers and doesn't detect any funny business, it turns the license permanent, requiring no further check-ins. These changes were instated in the March firmware update for both PS4 and PS5 consoles, which means Sony recently became aware of the exploit.

Ultimately, it seems like nothing has really changed, and Sony is just trying to bolster precautionary measures against piracy. Clearly, this was an under-the-hood change that people weren't even supposed to find out about, but the validity period labels in the UI gave it away. But Sony did let the situation balloon to the point where even the iconic PS4 game-sharing ad on YouTube filled up with comments mocking the company for becoming what it once hated.

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