Overview

PlayStation Network scores 40/100, placing it in the lower half of the gaming category. Sony's terms are notably stricter than competitors, particularly around refunds and account enforcement. The "no refund after download starts" policy is one of the most restrictive in the industry, and PSN bans can result in complete loss of your digital game library.

While PlayStation Plus offers good value, the underlying terms give Sony significant power over your account with limited recourse for users. Regional restrictions add another layer of complexity.

Key Gotchas

  • 🔴 No Refunds After Download Begins

    Once you start downloading a game - even accidentally - your refund rights evaporate. This is significantly worse than Steam's 2-hour playtime window or Epic's similar policy. Pre-order refund windows are also restrictive.

    PlayStation Store Cancellation Policy

  • 🔴 Account Ban = Complete Library Loss

    If your PSN account is banned, you lose access to every digital game you've purchased. Unlike Steam where game bans are often title-specific, PSN enforcement can result in total library loss with limited appeal options.

    PSN Terms of Service - Enforcement

  • ⚠️ Region Lock Complications

    PSN accounts are region-locked. If you move countries, you can't transfer your library to a new regional account. DLC and add-ons must match your game's region, creating compatibility headaches.

    PSN Account Terms - Regional Restrictions

  • ⚠️ PS Plus Game Access Requires Subscription

    Games claimed through PS Plus are only accessible while your subscription is active. If you lapse, you lose access to potentially years of claimed games until you resubscribe.

    PlayStation Plus Terms

  • ⚠️ Limited Offline Play

    Digital games require your PS5/PS4 to be set as "primary console" for offline play. Only one console can be primary, creating issues for households with multiple PlayStations.

    Digital License Terms

Positive Aspects

  • ✅ PS Plus Game Catalog Value

    PS Plus Extra and Premium tiers offer a substantial game library. While access is subscription-dependent, the value proposition is strong for active gamers.

  • ✅ Share Play Features

    Share Play allows friends to try your games remotely - a unique feature that somewhat compensates for restrictive sharing otherwise.

  • ✅ Cloud Saves

    PS Plus includes cloud save storage, protecting your progress even if hardware fails. Save data can be accessed from any PlayStation.

Score Breakdown

Category Scores

Fund & Account Control (25%) 9/25
Dispute Resolution (20%) 7/20
Liability & Indemnification (20%) 9/20
Transparency & Notice (15%) 7/15
Data & Privacy Rights (10%) 5/10
Exit Rights (10%) 3/10
Total Score 40/100

The Bottom Line

PlayStation Network's terms are among the least consumer-friendly in gaming. The no-refund-after-download policy is harsh, and the account-level enforcement means your entire digital library is at risk. If you're heavily invested in the PlayStation ecosystem, be extremely careful about account security and conduct.

Consider buying physical copies when possible for important games - they can't be revoked with an account ban. And set up two-factor authentication immediately; account theft means library loss.