A major antitrust trial has opened in London against Sony over allegations that the company overcharged millions of British gamers for digital games and add-on content sold through the PlayStation Store.

The case, being heard at the Competition Appeal Tribunal, is a collective action brought on behalf of around twelve million PlayStation users in the United Kingdom.

Claimants argue that Sony used its control over the PlayStation digital marketplace to impose excessive prices for downloadable games and in-game purchases over nearly a decade.

The lawsuit seeks roughly two billion pounds in damages and covers purchases made through the PlayStation Store between August two thousand sixteen and February two thousand twenty-six.

Under the structure of the claim, eligible consumers are automatically included unless they choose to opt out.

The action is being led by consumer advocate Alex Neill, who alleges that Sony restricted competition by preventing alternative digital storefronts from operating on PlayStation consoles.

According to the claim, this market structure allowed the company to charge a thirty percent commission on digital sales, which the legal team argues was ultimately passed on to players through higher prices.

Lawyers representing the claimants argue that PlayStation users effectively had no alternative marketplace for digital purchases on the console, creating what they describe as a captive consumer base.

They contend that the company’s digital ecosystem enabled pricing that was out of proportion with the cost of providing the distribution service.

Sony has strongly rejected the allegations and is defending its business model.

The company argues that its PlayStation Store structure ensures security, privacy and reliability for users while supporting the broader economics of the gaming platform.

Sony has also said that commissions on digital purchases help offset the substantial costs involved in designing and producing console hardware, which is often sold at slim profit margins.

The trial is expected to last around ten weeks, with a judgment likely several months after proceedings conclude.

If the claim ultimately succeeds, estimates suggest affected consumers could receive compensation averaging roughly one hundred sixty-two pounds each.

The case reflects growing scrutiny of digital marketplaces run by major technology and entertainment companies.

Regulators and courts in several jurisdictions have increasingly examined whether platform operators that control app stores or digital distribution systems can use that position to impose fees or pricing structures that limit competition.

For the global gaming industry, the outcome of the trial could have far-reaching implications.

A ruling against Sony may influence how digital storefronts operate across console ecosystems and could reshape pricing models for downloadable games and in-game purchases.