Game over for physical media - a digital-only future for gaming?
Sony has announced it will cease physical disc production for PlayStation games by January 2028, moving to a digital-only distribution model. The decision has sparked significant backlash from gamers concerned about ownership, the loss of the second-hand market, and corporate control over pricing.
Why it matters
This represents a major shift in the gaming industry that threatens the concept of digital ownership and the secondary market for physical media.
Once upon a time, buying a video game was a cultural experience. Inside the box was a treasure trove of goodies: beautiful cover art to marvel at, encyclopaedic game manuals to study, and of course, a pristine disc that promised you hours upon hours of entertainment.
The article frames the corporate decision as 'anti-consumer' and highlights the negative impact on the community.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in