When it comes to digital purchases, we all want a little peace of mind. If a game turns out to be a disappointment, we expect to have some kind of fallback. Especially when our money is on the line. But if you’re buying on PlayStation, the reality is far worse than most players realize. Their refund policy is not just outdated. It’s anti-consumer.
And with risky titles like Marathon on the horizon, it’s more important than ever to know what you’re signing up for.
The Risk of Trying Something New
Let’s say you’re still holding out hope for Marathon, despite Bungie’s current mess: a lawsuit, copyright infringement issues, and player backlash over the gameplay they’ve shown so far. You figure you’ll give it a chance on launch day. What happens if it turns out the game just isn’t fun to play?
On PlayStation, the answer is simple. You’re stuck with it.
A Policy Built to Punish Players
You’re not going to believe this. Sony only offers refunds if you haven’t downloaded the game. Not played, not streamed. Downloaded. Once the game has started downloading, your refund eligibility disappears entirely. Even if you never press play.
Yes, that sounds absurd. Because it is.
So if you’re wondering, “How am I supposed to know if a game is bad if I haven’t played it?” Sony has no answer for you. Their policy punishes you for trusting the platform.
There’s no meaningful guarantee of quality. And because developers know Sony won’t hold them accountable, there’s little incentive to ensure a game is polished at launch. Sony gets paid either way.
The Exception That Proves the Rule
There have been rare exceptions. The most notable? Cyberpunk 2077. That game launched in such a broken state it was pulled from the PlayStation Store entirely. Refunds were granted across the board.
But most games aren’t disasters at that level. They’re just disappointing. And for those, you’re on your own. Whether it’s sluggish combat, poor optimization, or a gameplay loop that just doesn’t click with you, you’re screwed. Once you’ve downloaded it, your money is gone.
Here’s What You Can, and Can’t, Do
PlayStation’s refund policy boils down to this:
- ✅ You can request a refund within 14 days if you haven’t downloaded or streamed the game.
- ❌ Downloaded the game? You’re no longer eligible, even if you never played it.
- ✅ Pre-orders are refundable within 14 days before release, or anytime before release day if pre-ordered earlier.
- 🔄 You’ll have to go through a chat assistant and explain your case.
It’s not just inconvenient. It’s hostile to the consumer.
What You Should Do Instead
The smartest move? Do not pre-order on PlayStation. Don’t buy until you’ve watched gameplay videos, Twitch streams, or reviews from people you trust. And even then, only buy a game if you’re fully confident it’s something you want to keep. Even if it sucks.
Turn off auto-downloads on your console. Seriously. That one setting might be the difference between being able to request a refund or being completely out of luck.
Protect Yourself
Sony isn’t protecting players. They’re protecting profits.
A platform that locks you out of refunds before you’ve even played the game doesn’t deserve blind loyalty. You don’t own the games you “buy” digitally. With policies like this, Sony is making it clear that your rights as a customer don’t matter.
So the next time you consider a risky title on PlayStation, ask yourself:
Are you ready to commit to that purchase like it’s a long-term relationship?
If you’re not 100% sure, it’s not worth the gamble.
