PlayStation Users Discover Groundbreaking Feature That Cost Sony Millions

If there is one thing the gaming industry loves, it is a lawsuit and a recent discovery reveals that Sony was faced with one back in 2010 that not a lot of us knew about.

Dating back all the way to 2006 with the launch of the PlayStation 3, users stumbled across one of the console’s features which would allow them to install another operating system, Linux.

As the original reasoning stated, "When running the Linux software system, the PS3 can serve as a fully functional home computer, loaded with more than 1,000 applications."

However, when Sony announced a 3.21 update back in 2010, users discovered that this would disable the “Other OS” feature due to security reasons.

This would mean that users “will continue to have access to the broad range of gaming and entertainment content from [Sony Computer Entertainment] and its content partners on a more secure system," according to Sony itself.

However, when PS3 user Anthony Ventura discovered that keeping the “Other OS” feature would mean not being able to upgrade to Update 3.21 without disabling the PlayStation Network, he began proceedings to sue Sony.

He argued that Sony had “based [the decision] on its own interests and was made at the expense of its customers".

However, Judge Seeborg dismissed this claim, stating that Sony had not committed any crime as the “Other OS” feature would still be accessible to those who did not install the update.

Ultimately, the case was thrown out in 2011 but was appealed back in 2014.

Many years later, the two sides reached an agreement with Sony having to pay out to those affected.

Reported by Ars Technica, if approved by a federal judge, PS3 users who used Linux were eligible for $55 if they could verify their purchase, serial number and PSN Sign-in details. They also had to show proof that they made use of the “Other OS” feature.

Additionally, users who purchased the PS3 for the Linux-accessible feature but did not use it were entitled to $9 for "lost value" but once again, evidence was required.

Although these numbers do not seem like a lot, over 10 million customers were affected with Sony potentially paying up to $550 million in damages.