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Nintendo Exec Says There Are “No Plans to Ditch Physical”
Nintendo of America's Bill van Zyll stated that the company has no plans to abandon physical game media, emphasizing their agnostic approach and the Nintendo Switch's capability for both physical and digital formats. This comes amid industry discussions about the future of physical media, with Sony ending PlayStation disc production in 2028 and former Sony executive Shawn Layden expressing concerns about game ownership.
If Sony change their PlayStation disc policy people will like them again - Reader's Feature
A reader argues that Sony could regain fan favor by reinstating physical disc support for its consoles, citing ongoing community complaints and the strong sales of physical copies for games like Marvel's Wolverine. The author suggests that a consumer-driven boycott or a shift back to discs could pressure Sony to reverse its all-digital policy, which is perceived as a move to increase profits by eliminating retail cuts.
US console market hasn't been "in a more precarious position since the early 80s," analyst says as PS5 and Xbox Series X price soar to all-time highs
An industry analyst states the US console market is in its most precarious position since the early 1980s due to soaring prices for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, driven by RAM shortages and tariffs. Sales for both Sony and Microsoft have significantly declined year-to-date, reaching all-time lows for Xbox hardware unit sales. While the upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto VI might offer some relief, component availability and pricing remain significant concerns.
PlayStation creator turned AI CEO Ken Kutaragi predicts AI daydreams will replace video games, which is apparently…
Ken Kutaragi, the creator of PlayStation, predicts that artificial intelligence will eventually replace video games with AI-generated daydreams. He believes this shift will fundamentally change human sensibilities and expand the entertainment market exponentially, though he acknowledges his vested interest in AI technology.
Sony is still selling tons of the discs it plans to kill off: Marvel's Wolverine launch sales were reportedly 35% physical, showing a huge appetite for a non-digital future
Despite Sony's planned discontinuation of physical disc production in 2028, sales figures for Marvel's Wolverine and other titles indicate a significant consumer demand for physical media. Approximately 35% of Marvel's Wolverine sales were physical copies, a trend mirrored in other recent releases, suggesting the physical market is healthier than Sony's digital-first strategy implies.
The EU Is Coming For Gaming’s Most Manipulative Monetization Tactics
European consumer protection authorities are taking action against 10 video game companies, including Activision Blizzard and Ubisoft, for employing "dark patterns" and manipulative monetization tactics. These practices, such as selling in-game currency in fixed bundles that force overspending and obscuring real-world costs, are accused of putting minors and vulnerable individuals at risk of gaming addiction. Some games like Fortnite are beginning to offer exact currency purchases, but many still rely on exploitative bundle deals.
After Zelda: Ocarina of Time, "Nintendo should be even more focused on remakes" to avoid PS5-like game droughts, ex-marketing leads say: "You'll be Sony, you'll have a problem"
Former Nintendo PR leads Krysta Yang and Kit Ellis suggest Nintendo should increase its focus on remakes, citing the success of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake as proof of audience interest. They argue that remakes can supplement the Switch 2's library and help avoid the game droughts experienced by platforms like the PlayStation 5, though they caution against over-reliance on them.
Former Last of Us and Uncharted 4 dev has "good and bad" thoughts about Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, but he's glad "someone is taking big risks on art like that"
Former Naughty Dog artist Matt Radford, who worked on The Last of Us and Uncharted 4, expresses optimism for Naughty Dog's upcoming game, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. He acknowledges having both positive and negative thoughts but is glad to see a major studio taking significant artistic risks at a high level, noting that Sony's hardware sales strategy allows Naughty Dog creative freedom.
Ghost Of Tsushima Anime Taps Star Wars: Visions Talent For Its 2028 Release
Crunchyroll has revealed new details for the upcoming Ghost of Tsushima anime, including a 2028 release window and key cast and crew members. Takanobu Mizuno, known for Star Wars: Visions, will direct the project at Kamikaze Douga, with Hayate Inc. confirming voice actors Mayumi Saco and Shinya Fukumatsu. The article also notes the growing trend of video game anime adaptations, mentioning projects for Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, Bloodborne, and Death Stranding.
Sony agrees to transfer over 400 global VR patents to Meta following December 2025 agreement
Sony has agreed to transfer 419 global virtual reality patents to Meta, including 180 filed in the US, as part of an agreement signed in December 2025. This move follows Sony's sale of over 40 VR-related patents to Meta between June and September. The decision comes as Sony appears to be scaling back its VR efforts, while Meta continues to invest in VR technology despite significant financial losses in its Reality Labs division.
Evening Reading - October 8, 2026
This edition of Shacknews Evening Reading covers a variety of gaming news, including reviews for Order of the Sinking Star and Nintendo Switch Sports Resort, discussions on Phantom Blade Zero and Total War: Warhammer 3 DLC, and updates on Ultima IP rights. It also touches on Xbox's new film and TV division, Apple's upcoming event, a Cyberpunk 2077 movie in development, and Sony's AR/VR patent sales to Meta.
35% Of Marvel’s Wolverine Copies Sold Are Physical, Claims Sales Data
Sales data indicates that 35% of Marvel's Wolverine copies sold were physical, suggesting a continued demand for physical media despite Sony's stated plans to phase out discs by 2028. The game has sold approximately 2.16 million copies.
After months of PSVR 2 stock shortages, PlayStation sells hundreds of VR patents to Meta, signaling the brand's…
Meta has acquired 43 US XR patents from Sony, previously used for PlayStation VR and PlayStation VR2. This follows months of PlayStation VR2 stock shortages and a lack of software support, suggesting a potential winding down of Sony's VR efforts. Meta's acquisition comes despite its own recent cutbacks in the VR market.
The Lego PlayStation is an impressive and incredibly detailed tribute to an iconic retro console
The Lego PlayStation set is a highly detailed and impressive 1:1 scale replica of the iconic retro console, featuring working buttons and internal dioramas of Gran Turismo and Ape Escape. Despite a premium price point and a few fiddly stickers, its near-perfect recreation and clever mechanics make it a standout collectible for retro gaming enthusiasts.
Best-selling games in the U.S. for August 2026 – Nintendo Switch 2 boosts Elden Ring to the top 10, Big Walk makes the list
Circana's August 2026 US sales chart shows NBA 2K27 and Madden NFL 27 leading, with Elden Ring surging to seventh place following the Nintendo Switch 2 launch. The list also features Mario Kart World and Splatoon Raiders, with Big Walk making an appearance. The year-to-date chart is topped by Resident Evil Requiem.
Rykte: Sony vill återuppliva klassiska Playstation-varumärken
Rumors suggest Sony is looking to revive dormant PlayStation franchises, with a new Ape Escape game reportedly in development by Evening Star. This follows Capcom's successful revival of series like Okami and Onimusha. Sony is also said to be allowing smaller third-party studios to work on other classic brands.
Games Inbox: When will the next mainline Zelda game be out?
Readers discuss the potential release window for the next mainline Legend of Zelda game, with speculation pointing towards 2029 or later due to development times. Other topics include opinions on Gears of War: E-Day's repetitive gameplay, the return of Star Wars Zero Company staff, and concerns about explicit content in Grand Theft Auto 6.
PlayStation VR is Probably Done, as Sony Transfers 43 VR Patents to Meta
Sony has transferred 43 virtual, augmented, and mixed reality patents to Meta, signaling a potential end to its PlayStation VR efforts. This move, coupled with a lack of first-party support for the PlayStation VR2, suggests Sony may not pursue a third-generation VR headset. Meanwhile, Meta is advancing its VR technology with new lightweight glasses set to launch in Spring 2027.
Sony has sold over 40 AR/VR hardware patents to Meta in 2026
Sony has reportedly sold approximately 40 AR/VR hardware patents to Meta in 2026, indicating a further withdrawal from the virtual reality market. The patents, which include hardware for VR, AR, and XR headsets, were transferred between June and September 2026, with a larger global transfer agreement in place. This move follows the underperformance of the PlayStation VR2, which launched in 2023 and experienced low sales, leading to a price cut.
Sony is reportedly plotting to revive classic PlayStation games, starting with a new Ape Escape from the developers behind Sonic Mania
Sony is reportedly planning to revive dormant PlayStation classics, with a new Ape Escape game from Evening Star, the developers behind Sonic Mania, being the first in line. This initiative involves external studios handling legacy intellectual property, similar to how Bandai Namco developed Everybody's Golf: Hot Shots.
