Sony has announced that it is removing 551 film and TV titles from the PlayStation Store on September 1st and will no longer sell physical copies of PlayStation games beginning in January 2028. Amid renewed discussion over the perils of digital-only media, a policy dating back at least 17 years in the UK and Europe has drawn fresh scrutiny. It allows Sony to close PlayStation accounts after three years of inactivity — effectively deleting games and any other purchases attached to the account.
“If you have not used your Account for at least 36 months we may take steps to close it,” reads PlayStation’s UK and European Terms of Service. “In that case, we will contact you via the email address registered to your Account and give you 6 months to either log in to your Account or contact us and tell us to keep your Account open.”
It continues, “After your Account is closed, you will not be able to access the PlayStation Online Services or use the Digital Products purchased with that Account. Account closure is irreversible.”
Policy Background
For now at least, similar language doesn’t appear in PlayStation’s US Terms of Service.
As VideoCardz.com points out, this inactivity clause dates back to at least 2009, when the Terms of Service gave Sony the right to cancel your account if it had “not been used for 18 months.” The tech site’s report reveals that Sony extended the time period to 24 months in 2016 and then 36 months in 2019. The latter update added that the rule only applied where it was allowed by local laws.
Implications for Gamers
While inactive UK and European PlayStation Store users receive a six-month warning to keep their accounts open under this policy, its existence highlights that digital media doesn’t offer ownership, but merely a license purchase.
Microsoft’s Terms of Service also says the company can close an account after two years of inactivity, but it is only applicable if no purchases have been made with the account.
It’s not a great time for gamers who prefer physical media.
Most current-generation consoles don’t take discs or cartridges as prices continue to rise. Meanwhile, an increasing number of Switch 2 games are being released as key cards, which act as physical keys to download the game itself.
As a preview of what’s to come, the “physical version” of Grand Theft Auto VI will not contain an actual disc, but a download code inside the box.
In conclusion, the policy of closing inactive PlayStation accounts after three years of inactivity has significant implications for gamers who prefer digital media. As the gaming industry continues to shift towards digital-only media, it’s essential for gamers to be aware of the terms and conditions of their accounts and the potential consequences of inactivity. The removal of physical copies of PlayStation games and the increasing use of download codes instead of actual discs are just a few examples of the changes that gamers can expect in the future.
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