Overview
- Sony has announced it will stop producing new physical Blu-ray PlayStation game discs starting January 2028, a decision driven by rising digital sales and higher margins for downloads.
- EU Commissioner Michael McGrath told reporters the EU lacks authority to compel Sony to continue disc production and that companies are free to choose their distribution models so long as consumer rights are respected.
- The Commission said it cannot force publishers to keep game servers live after closures and will instead work on a voluntary code of conduct for video game preservation to address long-term access concerns.
- Consumers, creators and retailers have reacted with petitions, public criticism and legal action, including large claims in the Netherlands, while manufacturing partner Sony DADC is reported to be repurposing its Thalgau plant.
- Key near-term effects to watch are changes to boxed sales (more download-code boxes), pressure on the second-hand market, and whether voluntary preservation rules or court challenges produce binding protections for ownership and archive access.