PlayStation physical games out: Sony stops production from 2028

Sony is cutting costs and maximizing profits, plain and simple. Eliminating the production, distribution, and sale of physical discs slashes a lot of expenses. Digital offers higher margins and total control over sales, without middlemen or returns.

Sony's announcement, originating from internal sources, indicates that the production of physical PlayStation game copies will cease entirely in 2028. This move follows the trend in PC gaming, where digital has dominated for years. Consoles are catching up too; just think of the disc-less Xbox Series S.

In short, less plastic and more bits mean more money in Sony's coffers. For them, it's a "natural" transition. For us, it's a matter of habit and, perhaps, a touch of nostalgia. Who hasn't proudly displayed an entire game collection?

For us gamers, the news tastes bittersweet, mostly bitter. No more used game market, no more lending to friends, and goodbye to the feeling of truly "owning" a game. We're buying a license to use it, not the software itself.

This raises quite a few questions about game preservation. If Sony decided to shut down its digital store for old consoles someday, what would happen to our purchases? They'd vanish into thin air, like a bad dream made of pixels. A nightmare for collectors, wouldn't you agree?

The future is all about cloud and streaming, where games are a service, not a product. It's convenient, sure, but it makes us totally dependent on companies. We won't be able to resell that disappointing title or swap it with a friend. Farewell freedom, welcome subscription.