Stop Killing Games has joined a $457 million lawsuit against Sony, backing Dutch consumer group Stichting Massaschade & Consument (SM&C) in its case against the PlayStation Store’s digital monopoly. The movement announced its support alongside community resource DoesItPlay? on August 12, 2026. Both groups are backing SM&C’s legal action in the Netherlands, which accuses Sony of controlling PlayStation game pricing through a closed digital ecosystem. The case has gained fresh attention after Sony confirmed it will end physical PlayStation disc production by January 2028.
Here is everything confirmed about the lawsuit so far.
Why Stop Killing Games Joined the Sony Lawsuit
Stop Killing Games and DoesItPlay? shared a video from SM&C titled “It’s time to sue Sony, join us.” In the video description, the groups said they are putting their full weight behind SM&C’s case in the Dutch court.
SM&C first filed the lawsuit in early 2025 as part of its “Fair PlayStation” campaign. The foundation argues that Sony holds a monopoly over digital game sales on PlayStation, since players can only buy digital titles through Sony’s own store.
The lawsuit claims this closed system lets Sony set prices without competition, resulting in a so-called “Sony tax.” SM&C says digital games on the PlayStation Store cost up to 47% more on average due to a lack of alternatives.
Sony’s move to end physical disc production for new PlayStation games by January 2028 has added weight to the case. SM&C argues that once discs disappear, Sony will gain even more control over pricing and distribution within its own ecosystem, while also wiping out the secondhand game market.
What the Lawsuit Is Seeking
SM&C is seeking damages of more than €400 million, approximately $457 million, on behalf of an estimated 1.7 million Dutch PS4 and PS5 owners. The claim covers players who made at least one purchase through the PlayStation Store since November 29, 2013.
The case cleared its first hearing on June 29, 2026, at the District Court of Midden-Nederland. That hearing addressed jurisdiction and whether SM&C has standing to represent the class under the Netherlands’ WAMCA collective action framework. A ruling on those questions is still pending before the case can move to the merits stage.
Who Is Behind the Lawsuit
Stichting Massaschade & Consument is a Dutch non-profit foundation that organizes class action lawsuits on behalf of consumers against large companies. Its case against Sony is separate from a similar “PlayStation You Owe Us” lawsuit filed in the United Kingdom, which concluded testimony on May 8, 2026, with no verdict reported yet.
Stop Killing Games is a consumer movement that formed in 2024. It campaigns against video game publishers shutting down games that consumers have already purchased, and it previously gathered more than 1.2 million verified signatures on a European Citizens’ Initiative petition submitted to the European Commission.
Dutch consumers who qualify can register with SM&C’s foundation to join the collective action. The court’s decision on jurisdiction and standing will determine how quickly the case moves toward a full hearing on the monopoly claim itself. Sony has not issued a detailed public response addressing the Dutch lawsuit as of this report.
