Just a reminder to everyone who thinks physical media isnt essential in 2026, I'd like to point out that if you want to buy Deadpool or Marvel Ultimate Alliance 1/2 digitally youre fucked.
The games were delisted years ago due to Activision not relicensing Marvel SO ONLY physical copies and pirated files exist outside of used PHYSICAL sales.
Eventually a game you like WILL get hit also.
Seems weird for Sony to cut physical games going into a generation where the people it would annoy are the enthusiasts they would need to show up day one for a 1,000 dollar console.
Sony is currently charging $70 for God of War Ragnarok digitally. It is $32 at Wal-Mart. The game is 4 years old.
People will no longer have options after 2028 and will HAVE to go directly to Sony’s digital storefront and pay whatever PlayStation says.
Good Morning @Sony,
You seem to have decided that the corporate philosophy “You will own nothing and be happy” is wise strategy.
Understand that this is a two-way street.
The video game crash that is coming is long overdue.
My response to you is: starve.
> raise console prices
> get rid of physical media
-> you are here <-
> raise game prices to $100 and beyond
> completely remove the ability to share any digital games
> buying new games will become an expensive hobby, but don't worry they'll definitely make a subscription tier for new games that come out
> hardware will become pricier, the cheapest way to play is using cloud gaming services
> offer a subscription that is reasonable at first
> gradually raise subscription prices
You will own nothing and be happy
If we don't act about Sony's outrageous decision to stop physical media in 2028, gaming might be doomed
Physical games should always exist, if not for preservation, then at least for enthusiasts. I can still buy vinyls from my favorite modern bands well after vinyl became a “dead format.”
There’s no good reason to not have that boutique support for games.
Let's say the PS6 is a digital only console (pretty much guaranteed now) and 20yrs after it's release you wanna get a game for the PS6 but they've shut down the store just like they did for the PS3/Vita. What are you going to do?
You can't go to a gamestop, a pawn shop, a flea market, ebay or whatever. This is planned obsolescence in its' final form. PlayStation now has 100% control over how you buy and play a game.
Your boy wanna sell you a game for cheap? Can't do that, gotta buy full price on PSN. Wanna give your boy a game to check out? too bad, he's gotta buy it for $70 on PSN.
This is terrible for videogame preservation and consumer rights
Yeah this totally sucks. They will eventually try to blame this decision on the handheld, but the reality is, they want you spending more money on games, with less consumer choice.
Don't take my word for it! Look at the prices of physical vs digital on PSN for older titles.
Sure would have been smart to draft a center instead of a stash In Germany player In the second round eh @nyknicks 🙄
Huk and Mitch gone. Maybe LeBron can play backup 5.
Absolutely dystopian day for gamers everywhere. Yes, even you who doesn't care about physical games and has a fully digital library.
All this does is funnel everyone into digital storefronts where PlayStation and co. control the pricing operation. You will lose additional options and pay more for games. Look at any nearby storefront's pricing versus what you'd pay for with that very same game on PSN.
This is not about upcoming handhelds or even that digital purchases outweighing physical. It is about maximizing the dollar spent everywhere and cutting out the middle man. Pulling the trigger when PSN isn't even feature complete with things like back compat, gifting games, has major security exploits, etc. is certifiably insane.