A rumor is circulating that Sony added always-online licensing checks to PS5 and PS4 digital games, requiring a 30-day online check-in to maintain licenses.

An anonymous insider cited by Does It Play? says the DRM issue may be an unintentional bug tied to a fix for an exploit, with no official comment from Sony yet.

The 30-day timer appears mainly on recently purchased PS4 titles and has not been reliably reproduced on PS5, with some social posts claiming PS5 as well, though verification is lacking.

Industry observers note a trend toward stricter licensing controls and anticipate player pushback from those who value ownership, potentially shaping future consumer behavior and policy.

Historical context recalls Microsoft’s 2013 Xbox licensing plans, which faced strong backlash and were rolled back, underscoring ongoing consumer resistance to always-online checks.

Community reaction includes calls to monitor the feature and seek reversal or clarification, reflecting broader debates over game ownership and DRM.

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As of now, evidence is inconclusive and the situation is evolving, with attention on whether this reflects a real policy shift or a temporary bug.

The claim suggests that making a console primary would not bypass the verification, and older purchases might remain unaffected.

The report notes social media links and various outlets sharing and verifying information, highlighting the lack of official clarification at publication time.

There is mention of potential broader impact on future DRM practices and ongoing industry debates about offline accessibility and digital rights.

The article discusses implications of a shift toward always-online, license-based ownership for digital games, regardless of whether this issue is confirmed.