The PS5 seems to have a similar, though not the same, problem as the PS4.

The problem is related to the internal CMOS battery, which maintains the system clock when the PS5 is not connected. When this battery runs out, the console will not be able to maintain its internal time. This is only a problem if the game console is also unable to ping the Sony server. For those who are constantly connected to the Internet, this will not be a problem. But if Sony shuts down the PS5's servers in 10 or 20 years, the games may find that their system is nothing more than a big paperweight.

Batteries do not last forever, and neither do the CMOS batteries built into the PS5. The average CMOS battery has a lifespan of 10 to 20 years, but whether it will last 10 to 20 years with sustained use time is mixed. Still, PS4 and PS5 owners need not worry. Currently, PS2 and PS3 CMOS batteries are dead.

As a result, if you want to play digital games downloaded from the Sony PS5 store, you will need either a working clock or an Internet connection to load them.

A limited number of games are currently being tested on one PS5 by Does It Play on Twitter. They have confirmed that the problematic version of the PS4 exists, although disc-based games can sometimes be played without problems.

For the time being, as long as the PS4 can connect to the Internet, there are not many problems; once the CMOS clock is wiped, the console must connect to Sony's servers before digital games can be played.

Disk games have had mixed success; some load fine without a CMOS battery and an Internet connection, while others simply cannot be installed properly. This is very different from the problem with the PS4 we reported recently. The console refuses to play discs unless the clock is working properly.

The CR2032s that Sony uses in the PS5 will last 10 to 20 years. These button cell batteries tend to do a good job of holding a charge when not in use; if the PS5 is plugged into a wall, the battery will not work very well. If you unplug the cable and put the PS5 in a cupboard, it will gradually discharge to maintain the PS5's settings and internal clock.

Can I replace it myself? Yes, you will have to take the PS5 apart, which is very dangerous for most people. Ideally, if you are replacing the battery, you should take the console to a certified repair shop that is confident in their ability to put the console back together. However, there are plenty of tutorials on YouTube.

The biggest problem will come when the servers start turning off, as Sony planned to do with the PS3 and PS Vita. But it is important to separate the issues here. Sony's plan was to shut down customer purchasing power, not to shut down the servers completely. In any case, as long as the servers are up and running, PS5 games should play just fine, CMOS battery or not.

DRM (Digital Rights Management) is used to protect the copyrights of digital media; technologies such as DRM require an Internet connection to verify that you are playing legitimate media. Sony wraps PS5 games in this protective bubble to prevent theft, so the system needs to know the time, or else the DRM will be removed and you will be locked out of the game.

Also, if Sony wanted to, a final patch could be sent to the console at the end of support that would remove all of these restrictions. Games on the console would then continue to run with or without Internet access. Would Sony do such a thing? Unlikely.

There is also the issue of trophy synchronization. In order for trophies to sync properly with Sony's servers, the CMOS battery must be alive. If trophies do not sync properly, gamers will suffer errors.

The major point of contention here is that many people want their current gaming consoles to be like the NES. Modern consoles are too dependent on DRM and Internet connectivity to guarantee that in the future.