03/07/2026
As a lifelong hardcore PlayStation fan, I’ve supported this brand through every generation, from the original PlayStation to the PS5. But being a fan doesn’t mean blindly agreeing with every decision. When I think Sony is moving in an anti-consumer direction, I’m going to say it.
The all-digital future is inevitable. I accepted that a long time ago. Digital downloads are more convenient, and there’s no denying that’s where the industry is headed. But deciding to completely stop producing game discs removes an important choice from players.
Not every gamer has access to fast, affordable, or unlimited internet. In many parts of the world, downloading games that are well over 100GB isn’t as simple as pressing a button. For those players, a physical disc isn’t just a collectible. It is often the most practical way to access and play games.
Physical media also gives consumers options. You can lend games to friends, buy them secondhand, sell them after finishing them, or hunt for better deals at retail. Those choices help make gaming more affordable, especially as game prices continue to rise.
I understand why Sony is making this move. Digital distribution reduces manufacturing and shipping costs, simplifies logistics, and gives publishers greater control over pricing and distribution. From a business standpoint, it makes sense.
But what makes sense for a business doesn’t always create the best experience for consumers.
The future of gaming can absolutely be digital. My issue isn’t with digital itself. My issue is with eliminating the alternative. Giving players a choice has always been the better approach, and taking that choice away feels like a step backward for consumer freedom.
I’ll always be a PlayStation fan. That’s exactly why I’m willing to criticize decisions like this. Supporting a brand doesn’t mean defending everything it does. It means wanting it to do better for the people who made it successful in the first place.
