Sony
Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for Sony.
Latest coverage
SEGA has no plans to abandon physical media and still sees a lot of value in it
SEGA president and COO Shuji Utsumi stated that the company has no plans to abandon physical media and sees significant value in it. This comes amidst discussions about Sony's potential discontinuation of physical media sales in 2028. SEGA is actively developing strategies to support physical releases alongside digital.
Ex-PlayStation Boss Calls For A Return To The Good Old Days Of AA Gaming
Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden believes the current game development model is unsustainable due to ballooning budgets and a lack of diverse titles. He advocates for a return to the 'AA' gaming era of the PlayStation 1 and 2, aiming to create a publishing concern that supports smaller studios and offers more varied experiences for players.
Resident Evil movie gets another spooky trailer, and features a fun game reference for keen-eyed fans
A new trailer for the upcoming Resident Evil movie has been released, featuring a bio-terror plot and an easter egg referencing shotgun shells from Resident Evil 4 and 5. Separately, Activision announced that Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is introducing a new matchmaking system inspired by the recent PlayStation ports of Black Ops 1 and 2, adding to its existing matchmaking options.
Okay, So We Now Know 1 Weapon Coming to Helldivers 2 as Part of the Warhammer 40,000 Warbond, and I Think We Can Guess a Few Others
Sony announced that the Warhammer 40,000 crossover for Helldivers 2 will launch on July 30, featuring a Legendary Warbond. One weapon has been confirmed for the update, with more expected to be revealed.
New PS5 Update Is Out Now, Makes Reading Easier
Sony has released a new firmware update for the PlayStation 5, version 26.04-13.60.00, which offers minor improvements to messages and usability on some screens. This update follows a previous one that introduced PSSR enhancements for the PS5 Pro and other features like an improved Friends Activity widget. The article also notes ongoing player backlash against Sony's planned discontinuation of physical game disc support in 2028.
"Sony already knew everyone would be pissed off," former God of War Laufey dev says, so it started enforcing the "strictest social media guidelines" after announcing the end of PlayStation discs
Former Sony Santa Monica writer Alanah Pearce revealed that Sony is enforcing strict social media guidelines for employees following the announcement that physical PlayStation games will end in 2028. Pearce stated that Sony anticipated significant backlash and implemented these stringent policies to control public messaging around the controversial decision.
Sony Knew Killing Discs Would Be 'An Enormous PR Issue' and Had 'Strictest' Guidelines to Gag Staff From Commenting on Controversy, Former God of War Dev Claims
A former God of War developer claims Sony was aware that removing PlayStation 5 disc drives would cause significant public relations issues. The company allegedly imposed strict social media guidelines on staff to prevent them from commenting on the controversy.
'Brick and mortar game retail is doomed' — Analysts report $7.2 billion second-hand game market could be in danger thanks to Sony's plan to retire the production of physical discs
Analysts predict the $7.2 billion used game market is in danger due to Sony's plan to end the production of physical discs starting in January 2028. Experts like Michael Pachter believe this will lead to the demise of brick-and-mortar game retail, while others like Kazunori Ito note that the market will shrink and eventually disappear. Sony cites a shift towards digital sales and community preference as reasons for the change.
Sony's FX5 cinema camera finally offers open gate and RAW 5K recording
Sony has announced its new FX5 cinema camera, which introduces features like open gate and RAW 5K recording. These advancements may indicate future capabilities for Sony's consumer mirrorless camera line.
Games Inbox: Is buying second-hand video games going to end?
Readers discuss the potential end of second-hand physical game sales due to the increasing prevalence of digital distribution. Concerns are raised about the loss of ownership and the impact on retailers like CeX. The convenience of digital is acknowledged as a major factor driving this shift, with some lamenting the decline of physical media.
Nintendo Switch 2 Tops US Charts in June as Hardware Spending Plummets by 62 Percent Year-Over-Year
US video game spending in June plummeted by 62% year-over-year to $383 million, largely due to the absence of a major new console launch like the previous year's Nintendo Switch 2. The Nintendo Switch 2 remained the top-selling platform in units and dollars, though its sales also declined. Despite overall spending drops, the first six months of the year saw only a one percent decrease compared to last year, with Grand Theft Auto 6's upcoming November release anticipated to boost numbers significantly.
Sony Issued “Strict” Social Media Guidelines Following Physical Disc Announcement – Rumor
Sony has reportedly implemented strict social media guidelines for employees following the announcement that PlayStation disc production will cease in January 2028. Former Santa Monica Studio writer Alanah Pearce stated these guidelines are the strictest she has seen, indicating Sony anticipated backlash. The company cited a shift in consumer trends towards digital media as the reason for ending physical disc production.
Marvel is already working on the next 5 Spider-Man films, including a live-action Miles Morales movie, says boss Kevin…
Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige revealed that plans are underway for at least five future Spider-Man films, including a live-action movie featuring Miles Morales. While the animated Spider-Verse series continues with "Beyond the Spider-Verse," Feige confirmed discussions about incorporating Miles Morales into live-action after the animated series concludes. Producer Amy Pascal is actively developing these future projects.
Analyst Says Sony Killing Physical PS5 Games “Dooms” Brick-And-Mortar Stores
Analyst Michael Pachter believes Sony's decision to discontinue physical PlayStation 5 game releases in January 2028 will be the "death knell" for brick-and-mortar game retailers. While the move may save Sony money, Pachter argues it is anti-consumer and ignores the significant role the used game market plays for consumers and retailers like GameStop, whose business is increasingly reliant on collectibles and hardware.
Business and Finance
Sony's decision regarding PlayStation discs could impact a $7 billion resale market, while Xbox reportedly paid more than Stalker 2's development cost for exclusivity. An Xbox VP also departed after only three months.
Disgaea Creator Says Sony May As Well Scrap PlayStation Consoles If It’s Killing Game Discs
Disgaea series creator Sohei Niikawa believes Sony should discontinue PlayStation consoles if it plans to eliminate physical game discs by 2028. Niikawa argues that physical editions foster a connection between fans and developers and serve as sentimental keepsakes. He suggests that executives making these decisions may not understand the value fans place on physical media.
Should the PS6 and next Xbox have back buttons on their controllers? Have your say
This article discusses whether the PlayStation 6 and next Xbox controllers should include back buttons as a standard feature. It highlights the increasing prevalence of back buttons on PC controllers and argues that Sony and Microsoft should integrate them into their official next-gen offerings, citing cost-effectiveness and player demand. The piece also touches on potential pricing strategies and the blurring lines between console and PC gaming.
We Need Physical Video Games
This opinion piece argues for the continued importance of physical video game media, contrasting it with the perceived downsides of an all-digital future. The author highlights personal experiences with physical games and discusses concerns about ownership, preservation, and the impact of digital-only distribution on the gaming landscape.
PlayStation "may as well eliminate the hardware" if Sony is ending physical discs, says creator of Disgaea RPG…
Sohei Niikawa, creator of the Disgaea series and former president of Nippon Ichi Software, has criticized Sony's decision to end physical game discs for PlayStation by 2028. He argues that physical editions are crucial for collectors, fans, and preserving game history, suggesting that if Sony eliminates discs, they might as well eliminate the hardware itself. This sentiment echoes concerns raised by other industry figures like Hideo Kojima and Yoko Taro regarding the future of physical media.
Sony's decision to kill off PlayStation discs could destroy the $7.2bn used game market, according to analysts
Sony's decision to cease PlayStation disc manufacturing by January 2028 could decimate the global $7.2 billion used game market, according to analysts. This move, which will likely extend to the PlayStation 6, removes physical game purchases as an option, potentially impacting affordability for consumers and revenue for retailers like GameStop and CEX.
