All articles tagged with #digital purchases
Sony patents a system where DualSense controllers can act as payment relays, letting a nearby phone wirelessly provide credit-card details to the PS console for digital purchases, using NFC, Bluetooth, or physical contact, as the company moves toward an all-digital future from 2028.
Techdirt analyzes Sony’s defense in a California case, arguing that digital PlayStation purchases are licenses rather than ownership and that California law requires clear license disclosures. Sony contends that reasonable consumers understand this, but the author argues many don’t and that DRM and revocable licenses complicate ownership, fueling public backlash over disc-less futures.
Microsoft offers refunds for eligible digital Xbox purchases (games, apps, add-ons) typically within 14 days of purchase and limited by “significant playtime,” with a broader 90-day window that may be approved depending on limits per user per year. Subscription refunds follow separate rules: you can cancel or downgrade to stop future charges, and refunds may be available within 30 days of purchase or before the next billing date, limited to one refund per account per subscription product. Requests are made online via Xbox Support, and processing can take up to 72 hours, with the actual refund appearing on the original payment method within 3–5 business days after processing. Pre-orders have a separate cancellation window, and regional policies may apply. If a refund is denied, you can appeal by replying to the decision email.
A user who bought The Lord of the Rings: Extended Edition digitally via Google Movies found the films removed from their library with Google denying a refund, underscoring how digital ownership can be revoked and reigniting calls for physical media as a safeguard.
Hamster Corporation launches Console Archives, a line of emulated classic games that can be purchased directly for the Switch 2 (and soon PS5), reviving a model Nintendo discontinued with Virtual Console. The initial releases include Cool Boarders for PS1 at $12 and Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos for NES at $8, with more titles like Doraemon and Sonic Wings Special planned. The lineup emphasizes easy play on modern hardware, offering features like customizable button layouts, screen settings, and quick save/load, as Hamster aims to license and release additional titles in the future.
Nintendo has launched a new Nintendo Store app on iOS and Android, allowing users to browse and buy games, accessories, and merchandise, receive news and sale notifications, check in at physical stores, and view playtime across Nintendo consoles by linking their accounts.
The Nintendo Switch 2 offers features that enhance family gaming, such as game sharing and screen streaming, making it a valuable upgrade for parents and kids, despite some limitations like game compatibility and account syncing.
The FTC has finalized a $245 million settlement with Epic Games over its handling of in-app purchases in Fortnite, which led to players making unwanted purchases. The settlement will go towards refunding customers and Epic will be required to discontinue its use of "digital design tricks" and obtain affirmative consent for digital purchases. The FTC also criticized Epic for allowing underage players to make unauthorized purchases without parental consent. This settlement follows another $275 million in fines proposed by the FTC in December over Epic's handling of accounts for players under 13.