PlayStation users had recently grown concerned that a new game license DRM policy had been quietly implemented, but brand steward Sony Interactive Entertainment has now explained the unannounced change. Concerns about PlayStation games becoming unplayable without regular online check-ins began nearly a week ago, with console users reporting that their purchased games appeared to only be valid for a 30-day period.
A Sony representative has now clarified to GameSpot that purchasing and playing digital games will effectively continue as usual, and that the change is more or less a backend process alteration. "Players can continue to access and play their purchased games as usual," the SIE representative said. "A one-time online check is required to confirm the game's license, after which no further check-ins are required." This seems to confirm that, once the new 30-day license expires, a single online check-in will see it replaced with a permanent license.
While SIE's statement doesn't offer much additional context, this appears to be a measure taken to reduce the frequency of users refunding a game, but still playing it offline in perpetuity. It was previously possible to purchase and download a game from the PlayStation Store,...
