I’m a bit late to the party when it comes to reporting on this news. If, for some reason, you’ve managed to miss it, Sony has decided that from January 2028, physical PlayStation games will no longer be a thing.
To say it’s caused uproar is a complete understatement. When Sony announced the news, they got absolutely destroyed on social media. You can see the X post below:
Personally, this doesn’t impact me. I buy everything digitally out of pure convenience, and I enjoy building a digital library that I can always go back to. I also don’t have the space to store physical games anymore.
That’s my preference.
The problem is, PlayStation has always claimed to be For the Players. This doesn’t feel like a move that’s for the players in any way whatsoever. In fact, I think it’s a terrible move for Sony, and here’s why.
1. Jobs and the second-hand market
Let’s talk about resellers.
In the UK, we don’t have many dedicated game retailers left, but we do have CeX. Whether you’re selling old games, buying something you’ve never played before, or trading in your console towards an upgrade, it’s become one of the biggest names on the high street for physical media.
If physical games disappear, businesses like that inevitably become smaller. That doesn’t just affect the business itself; it affects the people who work there too.
It’s also worth remembering that not everyone can afford £70 or £80 every time a new game launches. Plenty of people rely on the second-hand market to enjoy gaming at a more affordable price. Removing that option doesn’t benefit players.
2. Second-hand games still benefit developers
One argument I often see is that developers don’t make any money from second-hand sales. Technically, that’s true. But it’s also looking at the bigger picture.
Almost every major game released today offers something extra. Whether it’s a Deluxe Upgrade, story DLC, expansion packs, cosmetics or microtransactions, there’s usually another way players spend money after buying the base game.
Someone might pick up a second-hand copy because it’s only £15. They end up loving it, buy the DLC, purchase the sequel on day one, or even become a long-term fan of the franchise. How is that not a win? Not every player who buys a used copy stays a used customer. Think of EAFC for example. A player could go to CeX tomorrow, buy 26 for £28 (actual price for PS5 version at the time of writing), load up Ultimate Team and drop £100. It’s easily done.
3. Collectors deserve better
The latest Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced came with a code inside the box… and an empty space where the disc should have been on PC. It just doesn’t hit the same.
I understand PC players have largely been digital for years, but console gaming has always been different. Part of the experience has been owning the game. Opening the box, seeing the artwork, putting the disc into the console for the first time—it’s all part of the experience.
Collectors have helped preserve gaming history for decades. Some of the collections people have built are genuinely incredible. So what’s the point in buying a physical game case if there’s nothing physical inside it?
4. Do we actually own our games anymore?
This is probably the biggest concern of all. When you buy a physical game, you own that copy. You can lend it to a friend, trade it in, sell it years later, or simply keep it on your shelf forever. Digital games don’t quite offer that same freedom.
You’re tied to an account, a storefront, and licensing agreements that can change over time. While I personally prefer buying digitally, I completely understand why so many players are uncomfortable with a future where that’s the only option. Having the choice is what matters.
Final thoughts
That’s just four examples I can give. I could probably sit here all night listing more. Ultimately, Sony has suffered some pretty extreme backlash over this decision, and I honestly don’t blame people for being frustrated.
If anything, this feels like the perfect opportunity for Xbox to capitalise. After spending years recovering from the messaging around the Xbox One, Microsoft suddenly has a chance to position itself as the platform that still gives players a choice.
After all, it was decisions like that which helped Sony dominate the Xbox One and PS4 generation. Now, it almost feels like the tables have turned. Sony seriously needs to consider what message it’s sending to its audience. Because for a company that has always claimed to be For the Players, this decision feels anything but.
It would appear that play certainly does have limits.
