All articles tagged with #playstation
Sony will stop producing physical disc releases of its games starting in 2028. Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden calls the decision dramatic and, as a fan, “sad,” noting there’s likely significant financial analysis behind it. Kojima and physical-game collectors have also expressed sorrow. On the upside, Santa Monica says a physical God of War Laufey release will arrive before the 2028 cutoff.
Sony plans to end physical PlayStation game media by 2028, spurring a shift toward PC gaming. A Push Square survey found about 45% of respondents seriously considering switching to PC, 23% likely to stay with PlayStation, and 41% blaming the move on the end of physical media. Rumors of an Xbox disc-to-digital approach via a Helix hybrid and questions over launch pricing further push the trend toward digital distribution and PC-first strategies, signaling a shift in how gamers access and own games.
PlayStation announced it will stop production of physical game discs starting January 2028, triggering a surge of backlash on X as Community Notes highlight concerns about a digital-dominant future, resale value loss, and potential longevity issues. A petition titled 'Don’t kill the disc' has grown to about 275,000 signatures, retailer GAME España responds to physical-media fans, and Sony has yet to issue an official reply, underscoring tensions between digital ecosystems and consumer choice.
Kotaku reports God of War Laufey will be released on disc, hinting at a 2027 launch window and signaling that physical copies will persist before Sony ends discs in 2028. A San Diego Comic-Con panel is planned on July 24 with the developers and cast, but the exact release date remains unconfirmed. The broader questions include whether PS6 will support future discs and how Sony will handle physical libraries, while Microsoft is reportedly exploring digitizing Xbox disc licenses through Project Helix.
An EU commissioner says the European Union can’t force Sony to keep producing physical PlayStation discs; Sony announced it will stop printing physical Blu-ray game discs for new releases starting in 2028, moving to an all-digital lineup, with existing physical copies remaining for years. Commissioner Michael McGrath emphasized commercial and contractual freedoms and that consumer rights must be protected, while acknowledging the EU can’t pass laws to preserve games or keep servers running. The Commission plans a voluntary code of conduct for game preservation, but Sony’s shift to digital is proceeding as planned.
Sony plans to end PlayStation game discs production in 2028, sparking gamer protests. Analysts say the protests are unlikely to reverse the decision since digital is highly lucrative. Separately, Sony CEO Hiroki Totoki sold about 56.5% of his shares after the announcement, fueling speculation that backlash might pressure the company's long-term strategy.
Sony will stop manufacturing physical PlayStation discs from January 2028, forcing future releases to be digital. A Dutch price-watch study finds physical PS5 games are often cheaper at retail than on the PS Store—especially for third-party titles—while first-party titles rarely drop in price. The shift could raise costs for price-conscious shoppers, pressure retailers, and upend second-hand sales, though vouchers and code-in-box formats may persist.
A Change.org petition launched by Canadian retailer PNP Games to “Don’t Kill the Disc” has gathered over 220,000 signatures, urging Sony to keep disc-based PlayStation games alive beyond the January 2028 end of disc production. Proponents argue physical media sustains jobs, retailers, distributors, and the resale/collection market, while not opposing digital, they want ownership and choice to remain available even as Sony pushes toward an all-digital future.
PlayStation’s first post since announcing the end of physical discs has drawn widespread backlash, with fans urging a reversal or explanation. A petition to keep physical media has surged (over 175,000 signatures), GTA 6 pre-orders are already digital-only, and retailers say they’ll continue to support physical discs, while Sony has not yet issued a direct response.
A Change.org petition called Don’t Kill the Disc has surpassed 170,000 signatures in response to Sony’s plan to end physical PlayStation discs in 2028, moving all releases to digital formats. Supporters argue the move harms ownership, resale, and preservation, while Sony has not yet commented; industry observers warn it could grant Sony greater market control and reduce consumer choice and preservation options.
PS Plus Essential July 2026 free games are rolling out globally, starting today in Japan/Asia and launching worldwide at noon local time. The lineup includes Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, For the King II, and CrossCode, with Grounded: Fully Yoked Edition, Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2, and Warhammer 40,000: Darktide also available. This is the last chance to claim June’s games. The rollout comes amid ongoing backlash over Sony’s decision to end PS5 game disc production.
Sony announced it will stop producing physical PlayStation discs for new games in 2028 as it pivots to digital releases, a move that has sparked a widespread social-media backlash (with about 145 million views and 90,000 replies on X) over ownership and licensing concerns, including the risk of losing access to already purchased titles like StudioCanal content. Kojima voiced sadness and warned digital-only could erase ownership in the future; GTA VI will also be digital-only. The response included trolling from brands and a playful GitHub CD-ROM gag as well. Sony has not issued additional comment at press time.
Sony has clarified that re-orders of existing PlayStation discs will be allowed beyond January 2028, with a new ordering process to support an all-digital future and retail releases via digital codes; disc releases scheduled before 2028 won’t be affected, while Sony is winding down physical production (including repurposing its last Austrian factory) and planning PS3/PS Vita store closures by July 2027, drawing mixed reactions from publishers who value physical media for preservation and collection.
Hideo Kojima reacted to Sony’s plan to phase out PlayStation game discs by 2028, saying he’s saddened by a shift away from physical media. He argues that while games are downloaded and stay on your hardware, a move to streaming would mean you don’t truly own the data, since servers control access. The interview has amplified broader fears about digital ownership as console makers weigh all-digital futures, with questions also hanging over PS6 features and how competitors are handling physical media.
Hideo Kojima, speaking at Rome’s Il Cinema in Piazza festival, laments Sony’s plan to end PlayStation discs in 2028 and argues that cloud streaming could be an even bigger threat to game ownership because data would reside on remote servers rather than the user’s hardware. He contrasts physical media with streaming, noting that access could be cut off if licensing or political factors change, a concern he sees as part of a broader digital shift already affecting movies. Despite his Sony connections, Kojima remains independent and is involved with projects like OD and a PlayStation-exclusive titled Physint.