Sony
Sony business and news from across the web.
No, you can't build your own Steam Machine, but you can cry tryingThis article clarifies that users cannot build their own Steam Machine due to custom components and size constraints, contrasting it with traditional DIY PCs and modern consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. It highlights Valve's unique engineering approach for the compact Steam Machine, which uses semi-custom AMD chips for performance comparable to current-gen consoles.- Sony Tries To Change The Subject After Killing PlayStation DiscsSony announced plans to end support for physical game discs on PlayStation platforms by early 2028, a move that has drawn significant backlash from gamers. The company's subsequent attempt to shift focus to a new wireless fight stick was met with continued anger and disappointment. Analysts suggest the decision aims to increase Sony's control over pricing and distribution, eliminating the used game market and pushing consumers towards digital purchases.
Id Software veteran of over 20 years absolutely rips and tears into Microsoft after devastating layoffs: "XBOX decided half the team was no longer needed"Long-time id Software developer Michael Maynard expressed his anger and sadness following significant layoffs at the studio, which he states impacted roughly half the team. Maynard, who had been with id Software for over 20 years, criticized Microsoft and Xbox for the decision, highlighting the loss of institutional knowledge and the impact on the studio's legacy. The article also briefly mentions Sony and Bungie's recent workforce reductions and John Romero's support for the affected developers.
This free software aims to turn Sony headphones into a head tracker for '200+ PC games'A new open-source software allows users to utilize the motion sensors in compatible Sony headphones, such as the WH-1000XM5 and WF-1000XM5, for head tracking in over 200 PC games. This free tool, available on GitHub, captures orientation and gyroscopic data from the headphones and passes it to OpenTrack, enabling head tracking without additional hardware like webcams or infrared trackers.- Metal Gear Solid Snake actor David Hayter tells Sony "no disc, no buy" amid controversial decision to axe physical discs for new PlayStation games in 2028Voice actor David Hayter, known for voicing Solid Snake, has voiced his opposition to Sony's reported decision to discontinue physical discs for new PlayStation games in 2028. Hayter stated "no disc, no buy," aligning with fans concerned about the shift towards digital-only distribution.
- Mod förvandlar Sony-hörlurar till head trackerA mod has been developed to transform Sony headphones into a head-tracking device, compatible with hundreds of games through OpenTrack software. This allows for enhanced immersion and control in various gaming experiences.
- Morning ConsolidationA petition urging Sony to continue producing new physical PlayStation media has garnered nearly 200,000 signatures amidst growing backlash. This comes as Sony appears to be phasing out new physical releases for its consoles.
'Physical media is what makes consoles the best place to play' — PlayStation fans pushing back against Sony's plan to end physical discs have managed to amass over 170,000 signatures in a bid to reverse the decisionPlayStation fans are protesting Sony's decision to end the production of physical game discs starting January 2028, with a petition amassing over 170,000 signatures. The petition argues that physical media offers true ownership, unlike digital licenses, and expresses concern over job losses in retail. This move follows the confirmation that Grand Theft Auto 6 will launch with a digital download code instead of a disc.
List of PS3 Games on PlayStation Store With PS5, PS4 Cross-BuySony is closing the PlayStation Store for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita in July 2027, impacting digital game purchases. Players can still buy games until then, with some PS1/PSP classics and digital PS3 titles offering cross-buy functionality on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.
Xbox Game Pass subscription numbers are reportedly well below where Microsoft wants them to beXbox Game Pass subscriber numbers have reportedly fallen to 30 million, significantly below Microsoft's target of 77 million by 2026. This decline follows a substantial price increase for Game Pass Ultimate and a change in strategy regarding day-one releases for Call of Duty titles. New Xbox CEO Asha Sharma cited Game Pass growth troubles as a reason for recent job cuts within the Xbox division.
PS Plus Essential July 2026 Monthly Free Games Rolling Out NowSony has begun rolling out the PlayStation Plus Essential free games for July 2026, including Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, For the King II, and CrossCode for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4. This announcement comes amidst backlash over Sony's decision to end disc production for PlayStation 5 games and speculation about upcoming price increases for the PlayStation Plus subscription service.
Games Inbox: Is the Xbox doomed to failure?Readers express concerns about the future of Xbox, citing recent studio closures and a reliance on aging franchises like Halo and Gears of War. The discussion also touches on the shift towards digital-only games, the impact on game preservation, and the potential for companies like Sony to influence Kickstarter campaigns.- Sony tells publishers they can still reorder physical game discs for games pubbed before 2028Sony has informed publishers that they can still reorder physical PlayStation game discs released before January 2028, even after the stated end of disc printing. This comes after significant backlash from publishers and preservation groups regarding the initial announcement. Meanwhile, Sony's disc manufacturing plant in Austria is being repurposed for optical microlens production.
French left-wing leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon declares 'Players have rights too!' over the death of…French left-wing leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon has voiced strong opposition to the upcoming digital-only releases of Grand Theft Auto 6 and Sony's planned discontinuation of physical game sales. He argues that players will pay for games without ever truly owning them, leading to a loss of rights like resale and preservation, and is supporting a petition to save physical videogames.
Why we love Star Fox! Pure Nintendo Podcast E169The Pure Nintendo Podcast episode 169 features a discussion on the Star Fox franchise, including its characters, action, and cutscenes, with a particular focus on the Nintendo 64 original and its potential for the Nintendo Switch. The hosts also touch upon the latest Nintendo Direct, the future of physical media, and other games they are currently playing.
Save Physical Games petition passes 125,000 signatures and tells Sony “Don’t Kill the Disc”A petition on Change.org urging Sony to continue producing physical game discs has surpassed 125,000 signatures. The petition, launched by PNP Games Inc. owner Jade Pearce, argues for the importance of physical ownership and the negative impact of a digital-only future on local economies and consumer choice. Despite Sony's shift towards digital distribution and changes in manufacturing, the article notes past instances where public pressure influenced Sony's business decisions.- After PS5 Disc Controversy, Microsoft Confirms Halo: Campaign Evolved Will Come On A DiscMicrosoft has confirmed that Halo: Campaign Evolved will include physical discs for its PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S editions, despite Sony's recent announcement to phase out physical media by 2028. This move caters to players who value physical collections and raises discussions about game preservation and the potential elimination of the secondhand market.
If physical games are dying, we need better laws for our digital rightsSony's decision to end disc production for PlayStation games and the impending removal of Studio Canal films from PlayStation Video highlight the precariousness of digital ownership. The article argues for stronger consumer rights and new laws to protect digital purchases, contrasting them with the freedoms offered by physical media. It notes ongoing efforts in the EU and France to address these issues, while also pointing to PC storefronts like GOG.com as alternatives offering true ownership.
Word on the street is that the PS5 Disc Drive has been "limited" to 1 per order, but it's actually been…Sony has clarified that the "limit of 1 per order" for the PlayStation 5 Disc Drive was added in January 2026 due to high demand, not in response to the January 2028 discontinuation of physical game production. While the drive is still readily available at MSRP, resellers are already listing it for higher prices on platforms like eBay. The article advises against purchasing the drive solely for future game access, as new physical releases will cease in 2028, but notes its utility for existing physical games and 4K Blu-ray playback.
GTA 6 shipping without discs "feels unfair to studios still backing physical," Lords of the Fallen 2 boss says, and Sony's certainly not helpingCI Games CEO Marek Tyminski expressed concern over Rockstar Games' decision to ship Grand Theft Auto 6 without physical discs and Sony's planned discontinuation of PlayStation disc production in 2028. Tyminski argues these moves are unfair to studios still supporting physical releases, citing lower revenue and higher costs compared to digital sales. He confirmed Lords of the Fallen 2 will still receive a physical disc release, but acknowledged the increasing difficulty in justifying the format.