Sony Interactive Entertainment
Sony Interactive Entertainment business and news from across the web.
Latest coverage
(For Southeast Asia) PlayStation Store: June 2026’s top downloads
The PlayStation Store has revealed the top downloaded games for June 2026 across PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation VR2. In Asia, sports titles like NBA 2K26 and EA SPORTS FC 26, along with DAVE THE DIVER, led the charts. Meanwhile, Escape the Backrooms dominated downloads in the US and Canada.
Another self-own for Sony: Marvel Tōkon's PC version is unavailable in over 100 countries thanks to our old friend…
Sony's upcoming fighting game, Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls, has been region-restricted on Steam in 132 countries that lack PlayStation Network access. This follows similar controversial decisions with other PC ports like God of War Ragnarök and Ghost of Tsushima. The game is set to have an open beta on PC and PlayStation 5 from July 24 to July 26.
Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls on PC Blocked in 132 Countries Due to PlayStation Account Requirement
The PC version of Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls will not be available in 132 countries due to a mandatory PlayStation Network account requirement for multiplayer features. This situation mirrors the controversy faced by Helldivers 2, which was later reversed by Sony. Arc System Works is developing the fighting game, featuring Marvel characters with a 3D anime aesthetic.
PlayStation is Using Generative AI for Placeholder Voices and Art
Sony is utilizing generative AI tools within its PlayStation studios to assist developers with repetitive tasks, aiming to speed up iteration and improve output quality. These AI tools are being used for creating placeholder assets like synthetic voices and art, as well as accelerating QA, 3D modeling, and facial animations. The company emphasizes that AI is intended to augment human creativity and capabilities rather than replace artists and creators.
PlayStation’s Disc-Free Future Is Starting to Look Like a Walled Garden
Sony Interactive Entertainment's decision to cease manufacturing physical game discs after January 2028 has been met with significant backlash, with many viewing it as a move towards a restrictive digital-only ecosystem. This shift prioritizes Sony's control over ownership and revenue, potentially alienating consumers and impacting retailers who rely on physical sales. The company's move is seen as a strategic business decision driven by increasing digital sales and a desire to control the market, rather than consumer preference.
Marvel Tokon Blocked in 132 Countries, and It Looks Like PSN Requirements Are to Blame
Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls has been blocked in 132 countries, with PlayStation Network requirements appearing to be the cause for its unavailability on PC. This situation highlights ongoing issues with Sony's online service mandates affecting game accessibility.
All Access
Sony Interactive Entertainment's Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is reportedly blocked in over 100 countries on Steam. The reason for these regional restrictions on the PC version of the game is currently unknown.
Video games need an expiry date if they’re going to be digital only - Reader's Feature
A reader argues that digital-only video games should have a visible 'use by' date, similar to perishable supermarket items. This would inform consumers about how long they can expect to access purchased digital titles, especially as companies like Sony Interactive Entertainment move towards an all-digital future. The author suggests this transparency is necessary given the uncertainty of long-term digital game availability.
Weekend PC Download Deals for July 3: Steam Summer Sale continues
The Steam Summer Sale and other PC gaming storefronts are offering numerous deals on a wide variety of titles. This includes discounts on major releases, indie games, and bundles across platforms like Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, and Humble Bundle. Several retailers are participating, with prices and availability varying.
Weekend Console Download Deals for July 3: Nintendo Summer Sale continues
Nintendo's Summer Sale continues for another week, featuring discounts on first-party titles like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity. Various digital deals are also available across PlayStation and Xbox platforms, including PlayStation Plus member exclusives and Xbox Game Pass discounts.
Independence Weekend Consolidation
Sony Interactive Entertainment's historic PlayStation factory, responsible for manufacturing 24 billion discs, is being repurposed into a micro-optics lab. The article also briefly touches on the 'Fallout' series and its impact on gaming.
Shadow of the Colossus and Ico director says "unforgiving or clunky" elements that developers didn't plan for "are what actually end up being memorable"
Fumito Ueda, director of Ico, Shadow of the Colossus, and The Last Guardian, believes that unintended or 'clunky' elements in game design can lead to more memorable player experiences. He reflects on how difficult sections in his past games, like Shadow of the Colossus, stick with players, though he admits he might approach such elements differently with modern development tools. His upcoming game, Gen Atlas, is being developed in collaboration with Epic Games.
Where did all the UK game events go?
The UK faces a significant decline in major consumer video game events, with many established shows like EGX and Insomnia folding or merging, and new attempts failing. This trend is attributed to rising costs, shifting global marketing budgets of major publishers away from such events, and the overwhelming draw of larger international shows like Gamescom. While smaller niche and B2B events remain successful, the lack of large-scale consumer gatherings is a concern for the UK's substantial gaming market.
Sony won't U-turn on PS5 discs as its factory is already making something else
Sony is unlikely to reverse its decision to phase out physical game discs by 2028, as its primary disc factory in Austria is being repurposed. The factory will shift production from PlayStation discs to optical microlenses, with a significant investment in new equipment. While fans have protested and signed petitions, Sony's strategic move towards new manufacturing ventures suggests a permanent shift away from physical media for its consoles.
Uh-oh, the Steam Machine is having its own Xbox 360 "Red Ring of Death" moment, and Valve's lightbar…
A user reported their new Steam Machine experiencing a GPU failure, indicated by a red lightbar, after only 20 minutes of use, mirroring the "Red Ring of Death" issue that plagued the Xbox 360. Valve's error codes suggest a system-wide GPU failure, though the article speculates it could be a software or firmware issue. The user has opted to send the device back to Valve for support rather than attempting DIY fixes.
Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden on Sony's years-long debate over scrapping discs, and why this time it's probably "a straight spreadsheet decision"
Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden discusses Sony's decision to end disc production, calling it a 'spreadsheet decision' driven by the shift to digital sales. He believes this move, accelerated by the pandemic, suggests future consoles like the PlayStation 6 may omit disc drives entirely. Layden also noted that concerns over second-hand sales are no longer a significant factor for the business.
Xbox Cancelled a Marketing Campaign of Physical Copies of Games vs Digital in 2025 – Rumor
A rumored marketing campaign by Xbox for 2025, intended to discuss the advantages of physical versus digital game copies, was reportedly cancelled. This decision may hint at future Xbox consoles eschewing disc drives and aligns with a broader industry trend towards digital media, as seen with Sony's recent announcement to cease physical game production for its consoles by 2028.
PlayStation Leadership Discusses Potential Price Hikes for PS Plus Subscriptions
Sony Interactive Entertainment executives discussed the potential for price increases on PlayStation Plus subscriptions, citing the service's tiered structure and strong profitability. They also mentioned plans to expand cloud gaming infrastructure, with costs expected to be recovered through PS Plus revenue. Past price hikes have not deterred subscriber growth, with higher tiers showing increased adoption.
Former PlayStation boss warns Sony won't be able to replicate a key factor to the PS2's success "in the current generation" due to hardware costs
Former Sony Interactive Entertainment America president Shawn Layden believes current hardware costs and market pressures, driven by demand from AI and cryptocurrency, will prevent current-generation consoles from replicating the PlayStation 2's success through significant price drops. He highlighted that a substantial portion of the PS2's record-breaking sales came after its price was reduced to $199, a strategy he feels is no longer feasible.
Former PlayStation Exec Is Less Than Impressed With Steam Machine
Former Sony Interactive Entertainment president Shuhei Yoshida shared his unimpressed "meh" early impressions of Valve's Steam Machine, citing its high price tag and slow performance as major drawbacks. While he acknowledged its small form factor and quiet operation, Yoshida found it hard to recommend, especially compared to the PlayStation 4.