The UK is suing Sony PlayStation for £5 billion over claims that the company “ripped off its consumers” with exorbitantly priced games and in-game purchases.

Nearly nine million gamers may get compensation as a result of the class action lawsuit, which is being lead by consumer rights activist Alex Neill.

It claims that Sony PlayStation violated competition law by placing onerous restrictions and conditions on game publishers and developers and raising pricing.

The game is over, Ms. Neill said. PlayStation by Sony has not yet responded.

According to the complaint, which was submitted to the Competition Appeal Tribunal, the gaming company used its dominant position to force terms and conditions on game publishers and developers, including a 30% commission on all digital games and in-game purchases made through the PlayStation Store website.

According to the legal claim, Sony PlayStation’s activities increased costs for consumers, causing them to “unwittingly overpay” by up to £5 billion over the course of the last six years for digital gaming sales.

Between £67 to £562 is reported to be the range of the claim’s anticipated damages per person.

It applies to everyone who has since August 2016 made a digital game or add-on content purchase via the PlayStation Store or on their console.

“If we weren’t doing this,” Ms. Neill told the media, “We think we have a pretty compelling case.” “Taking on a firm like Sony is a major endeavor.”

She added, “With this legal action, I am defending the millions of UK citizens who have been unknowingly overcharged.”

“We think Sony has taken advantage of its position and cheated its consumers.

“Sony’s actions are costing millions of people who can’t afford it, especially at a time when the consumer purse is being squeezed like never before due to the cost of living issue.”

Concerns about commission on digital platforms and content availability have been voiced before. Apple and Google have faced similar legal action in other nations.

“Once you’re using one of those Apple or Android operating systems, there is no way around having to pay the hefty prices for entertainment. We assert that users of Sony PlayStation experience essentially the same thing “Ms. Neill spoke with the media.

Ms. Neill cautioned, however, that disputes of this sort often take years to resolve, and that if Sony PlayStation declines to settle the claim, customers who could be entitled to compensation may be forced to wait.

“Given the number of individuals impacted and the amount we think they have overcharged, we would for Sony to want to resolve this as soon as possible.

But we don’t know what they have in mind, she told the media.