Stop Killing Games backs Dutch consumer rights lawsuit against Sony’s PlayStation digital store “monopoly”
Stop Killing Games, a grassroots initiative dedicated to preventing game publishers from shutting down servers without providing alternatives, has joined a lawsuit filed against Sony by Dutch consumer rights organization Stichting Massaschade & Consument. The legal action represents approximately 1.7 million Dutch PlayStation users and alleges that Sony maintains an illegal monopoly over digital game sales through its PlayStation Store.
The lawsuit, filed in the Netherlands and in development since 2025, directly challenges Sony’s recent decision to discontinue physical PlayStation disc sales. The shift to digital-only distribution forces consumers to purchase all games exclusively through Sony’s proprietary platform, eliminating alternative retail channels. The plaintiff group had previously launched the ‘Fair PlayStation’ campaign before Sony’s announcement, but the transition to digital-only sales has intensified concerns about consumer choice and market competition.
Critics argue that by eliminating physical media alternatives, Sony obtains unprecedented control over game pricing and availability in perpetuity. Without competing retail options, consumers lose bargaining power and face potential price increases without recourse. The lawsuit combines consumer protection arguments with broader concerns about game preservation and competitive market practices, highlighting tensions between platform holders’ business interests and consumer rights in the digital entertainment landscape.