Is It Really the End of Physical Games?

In a recent post on the PlayStation blog, Sony announced that they are ending production of physical discs in January 2028. And this is soon after it was revealed that Grand Theft Auto VI would not have a disc, even if you purchase a physical version or any of the premium editions. All the box contains is a code to redeem.

Is this the future of gaming?

Now, digital has always been the easier way to get your games. You don't have to go outside to your local games shop; just turn on your gaming machine, head to the storefront, find a game, and then buy… all without needing to put on pants. It's quick, simple, and even good for the environment. I mean, those discs have to be made from something.

However, the trouble is that when you purchase a game digitally, it's not yours. Technically, you're purchasing a licence that should last for about around your lifetime. That means for any reason, the owner can decide to take the game out of your library, and you will be unable to play it ever again. It is the same with purchasing a movie DVD — you're not purchasing the movie, you're licensing it from the IP owner — but ever since The Crew was taken offline and the Stop Killing Games movement kicked off, more and more players are realising that, and it's scaring them. I mean, Sony just removed over 500 movies from users' accounts with no warning or refunds. That's insane!

Stop Killing Games is all about game preservation. But what happens when all the games can't be preserved?

Digital preservation has become quite the hot topic since, as games like Concord and Highguard get taken offline in only a matter of weeks or hours. There is so much lost media out there, and it's highly likely that most of it is just gone from the world, just another piece of history erased. It especially sucks when a game's lore and story rely on it, as Kingdom Hearts Union χ[Cross]"] has shown. If it weren't for the fact that all the cutscenes were uploaded to YouTube, a significant chunk of KH lore would be inaccessible and the confusing, convoluted story becomes even more confusing and convoluted.

Oh, and I just remembered, Sony is also shutting down the PlayStation Store on PlayStation 3 and the PlayStation Vita, meaning digital-exclusive games like the Ratchet: Gladiator HD Remaster will no longer be available to be purchased anywhere.

I actually really loved this game, which makes the PlayStation Store's shutdown on PS3 all the more painful.

And now I just realised something: this will severely affect the secondhand market, as without discs you can no longer share or sell the games you don't need anymore, often for far cheaper than the prices listed on the PlayStation Store. And since there will be a scarcity of a product, you know scalpers will inevitably swoop in to ensure only the highest bidders will get access to these increasingly rare items.

Unfortunately… this was sort of inevitable. There were signs since the start of this latest generation, where we got consoles with no disc drive. Nintendo is using Game Key Cards for the Nintendo Switch 2, cartridges you can buy with nothing but the ability to download the game to the system. We've seen how game manuals have slowly become more irrelevant thanks to in-game tutorials, shrinking in size before they just became parts of collector's editions as a novelty.

Digital storefronts have become far more convenient and widely available, and we've seen the decline of brick-and-mortar videogame shops. Despite how many people say they want physical discs, the data shows that sales for them are getting worse. Heck, I admit I don't think I've bought a physical game in several years now, with my last purchase being Marvel's Spider-Man 2. I only really go to my local EB Games for controllers, merch, and t-shirts rather than games these days. And, I'd like to point out that Steam has allowed Gabe Newell and Valve to do whatever the heck they want nowadays. PC is open-source, though, with multiple storefronts despite being mainly digital-only.

Your pizzas aren't great but you have great takes.

With Sony's announcement, this wasn't a surprise sprung on consumers… it's the next step in the eyes of the corporate executives who don't want to spend money to print discs and have more control over what players buy, and soon the others will follow. I hate to say it, but this is the natural progression of the gaming industry… but it doesn't mean I have to like it.

If you really are displeased with this choice (and I know there are plenty of you who do), hit 'em where it hurts and vote with your wallets. And if this really is the last generation for physical games, at least they'll be available through a special edition for an additional £50.