PlayStation 5: Uproar over alleged regular online checks

Do digitally purchased games for PS4 and PS5 now need to go online every 30 days for a DRM check? Several PlayStation users claim this online. The claims are causing a stir in the community – also because Sony has so far not commented on the matter.

Several days ago, PlayStation users noticed that the usage licenses for their newly purchased PS4 and PS5 games are limited to 30 days. This information can be viewed in the PlayStation interface. To renew the licenses, the game must be started with the internet enabled. Usually, digital PlayStation games issue an indefinite usage license after the first online game start. The conclusion of some users: PlayStation games will require an online connection every 30 days for a DRM check in the future; otherwise, they can no longer be started offline.

The core problem here is that this change in the license display has only just been discovered. So nobody knows if Sony will actually perform a new online check after a 30-day period expires. Sony currently refuses to comment on the situation. The company also did not respond to inquiries from heise online. Instead, various, often contradictory statements from Playstation support are circulating online, making the situation even more opaque.

There are many theories: Some users fear the worst and assume that Sony will indeed perform a DRM check every 30 days, without which a game can no longer be started offline until the console goes online again once. Others suspect a simple display error. A plausible theory comes from a user in the ResetEra forum who has experimented with games purchased at different times: He suspects that Sony only issues a temporary license during the 14-day return period. This could prevent players from buying a game, returning it, and keeping the license for future exploits. If a game is started after the return period, Sony might issue a permanent license again.

Online checks also with Denuvo

All of this is speculation. As long as Sony refuses to comment on the situation, only waiting will help. In a few weeks, it should become clear whether and how Sony will actually limit the usage licenses of digital PlayStation games. Should the worst fears come true, Sony can expect massive criticism: Microsoft had already planned to introduce regular online checks with the Xbox One. However, after severe criticism from the community, Microsoft backed down.

On PC, a one-time online check is also necessary for many games and platforms before a game can be played offline. For games with Denuvo copy protection, additional online checks may soon be required for players: According to a report by Tom's Hardware, Denuvo parent Irdeto and 2K Games have introduced 14-day online checks in the games “NBA 2K25”, “NBA 2K26” and “Marvel's Midnight Suns” because Denuvo's kernel protection can be bypassed with a kernel bypass. The online checks, on the other hand, cannot be circumvented. 2K has not confirmed this step either; Tom's Hardware refers to information from the cracking scene.

(dahe)