Reports have recently surfaced suggesting that newly purchased PlayStation digital games may require online license validation every 30 days to remain playable offline. After our initial post, we decided to investigate further by running our own test on a PlayStation 4.
As part of the test, we disassembled a PS4 and removed its CMOS battery, which resets the console’s internal date and time. This method has also been used by others with PS5, including YouTuber Spawn Wave, to check if indeed PlayStation has DRM.
For our own test, we purchased two newer digital games: Dragon Ball FighterZ and Mortal Kombat XL. Both titles showed a validity period on the console. We also tested older purchases and previously installed games, including Deponia and Red Dead Redemption 2.
After removing the CMOS battery and keeping the console offline, both newer purchases became unplayable and displayed a locked icon and noticebly the Application Starting now says “Ineligible”.
However, Deponia and Red Dead Redemption 2 remained playable without reconnecting to the internet.
Based on this test, newer PlayStation digital purchases appear to behave differently from older purchases when offline validation is involved. However, we have not yet confirmed whether this is strictly tied to a 30-day period, despite the validity window shown on newer purchases.
Sony has not officially confirmed any 30-day DRM system at the time of writing, so this remains an ongoing observation rather than a final conclusion. We’ll continue monitoring the situation and update once more clarification becomes available.