A European Union commissioner has said it can’t stop Sony’s decision to axe physical games, as long as ‘consumer rights are fully protected’.
Sony’s decision to axe physical PlayStation games from 2028 has sparked furious petitions and widespread ire across the industry, but despite all the hubbub, there isn’t much hope for those hoping for a U-turn.
The company has already pivoted the focus of its main disc factory in Austria, and with the PlayStation 6 already in motion, it’s likely the system is hinged around this planned all-digital shift.
If you were hoping for legal intervention, a European Union commissioner has also dashed hopes that the EU could stop Sony from killing physical discs.
Michael McGrath, the EU commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule Of Law, and Consumer Protection, was asked about Sony’s plans to stop producing physical game discs by reporters in Strasbourg’s European Parliament.
‘It does come down to commercial and contractual freedoms, and companies are free to offer games and services in the manner that they see fit, provided that consumer rights are fully protected in line with national and EU law,’ he said (via The Mirror).
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‘At this time, we did have to consider a European citizens initiative on this question of whether games should continue to be available after a new edition of the game has been brought forward.’
In other words, as long as game companies are compliant with the law, they can sell games however they like without restriction.
However, Sony has faced multiple lawsuits over alleged unfair pricing on the PlayStation Store over the past few years – something which could accelerate once this all-digital push comes into effect.
Just recently, the Dutch group Stichting Massaschade & Consument had their first hearing in the Netherlands for a similar lawsuit, which is seeking damages of over €400 million (£341 million) against Sony, although that was started before the all-digital annoucement.
If you need a silver lining, Sony Santa Monica studio has confirmed God Of War Laufey will be available on a disc. By extension, this confirms the God Of War spin-off will launch at some point in 2027 (insiders believe it will be in the first half of the year).
This means God Of War Laufey will be one of the last disc-based first party games on PlayStation 5. The studio is also working on a God Of War Trilogy Remake, but that doesn’t have a release date yet. Naughty Dog’s Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet also doesn’t have a date, but it may end up as Sony’s big Christmas 2027 game.
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