PlayStation Plus Glitch Sparks Outrage: Downloading New Games May Erase Ownership Rights

Players warn others to check their libraries — a long-standing PS+ bug could permanently revoke access to previously claimed games.

A Persistent Licensing Glitch Resurfaces

Following the new lineup for PlayStation Plus in October, reports from Kotaku and several community posts have reignited concerns over a PS+ ownership bug that dates back to 2022. The issue affects users who claimed a game through the Essential tier (PS Plus 1) and later downloaded the same title via the Extra tier (PS Plus 2).

When that game eventually leaves the Extra tier catalog, affected players lose access entirely — even if they had originally “owned” it through the Essential monthly giveaway.

The October Example: Yakuza: Like a Dragon

This glitch became particularly visible this month due to October’s Extra-tier additions, which include Yakuza: Like a Dragon. The game was previously offered as a free title through PlayStation Plus Essential in August 2022.

Players who had already redeemed Yakuza: Like a Dragon two years ago and later downloaded it again via the Extra catalog are now reporting that once it leaves the PS Plus library, their ownership rights are wiped — effectively revoking their permanent license.

Community Warnings Spread Across Forums

Dozens of users on Reddit and PlayStation forums have started warning others:

“Before redeeming or downloading a PS Plus title, always check if you already claimed it back in 2022,” one user advised.

This is because once the newer PS Plus license replaces the older Essential one, there’s no way to recover the original entitlement — even if you had it indefinitely.

No Official Fix or Acknowledgment Yet

As of the publication date, Sony has not commented on the recurring issue. The glitch has been observed multiple times since the PS Plus tier overhaul in 2022, suggesting a deeper licensing logic flaw between the Essential and Extra/Premium catalogs.

For now, players are urged to double-check their libraries before downloading duplicate titles from higher tiers. Losing access to once-owned games is a frustrating reminder that digital ownership under subscription models remains fragile.