Millions of PlayStation owners could be owed over £100 in compensation

While plenty of us are still recovering from the financial hell that was the wait for January payday, there could be cash to be nabbed for some people.

Well, very specific people – particular PlayStation owners to be exact.

Consumer Alex Neill previously filed a case against Sony worth billions as it alleges customers have been charged too much for PlayStation digital games and in-game content ‘via its control over the entire PlayStation ecosystem’.

And if it ends up successful then millions of owners of the game console could reportedly be owed up to £162 in compensation.

It’s claimed Sony is breaching competition law and this week, the UK Competition Tribunal reportedly agreed to expand the number of people who are able to be included in the claim.

It's said Sony could end up paying out up to £5 billion. (Avishek Das/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

So, people can now be included and potentially get compensation if they bought digital games or any add-on content through the PlayStation Store between 19 August 2016 and 12 February 2026.

Any UK customers will automatically be included in this claim and qualify to get compensation if the case succeeds.

But if you’re based elsewhere, you’ll need to opt in for it by 5pm GMT on 9 March with the trial due to begin on 2 March. And the same deadline goes for if you want to opt out of the claim.

“This is great news for consumers and will ensure that as many people as possible affected by PlayStation’s actions can be compensated,” Neill said.

“With the trial now only weeks away, and after years of litigation, we are another step closer to securing justice for the 12 million people included in this claim.”

On the claim’s site, PlayStation You Owe Us, it’s explained that Neill is bringing forward this lawsuit to hold Sony ‘to account for alleged excessive pricing in relation to digital games and in-game content’.

UK customers automatically qualify. (Getty Stock Image)

It lays out: “In the UK, it is illegal for companies to abuse their dominant position.

“This includes directly or indirectly imposing unfair purchase or selling prices or other unfair trading conditions.

“We believe that PlayStation occupies a dominant position in relation to the digital distribution of PlayStation games and in-game content and that it has been unfairly charging its UK customers too much for digital games and in-game content purchased through the PlayStation Store.”

It estimates that if the claims is successful, Sony may have to pay out between £0.6 billion and £5 billion in damages.

The LADbible Group contacted Sony for comment.