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Morning Legal Briefs
This article rounds up recent legal news, including a judge approving Anthropic's $1.5 billion settlement for an AI copyright lawsuit and a harassment lawsuit related to the game Forge of Empires being dismissed. Sony also filed legal documents.
Hideo Kojima says he'd like to die in a movie theater, which is a very normal thing to say
Hideo Kojima, known for his love of cinema, expressed that he would prefer to die in a movie theater, specifically during the trailers before a film begins. This sentiment aligns with his frequent movie reviews shared on social media, including a notable six-word review of the film Madame Web.
Nintendo has no obligation to pass tariff refunds onto customers, the company says, because Switch buyers received "what they bargained and paid for"
Nintendo has stated it has no obligation to pass tariff refunds onto consumers who purchased its products at higher prices. The company argues that buyers received exactly what they paid for and are not entitled to rebates due to subsequent legal developments regarding tariffs. This stance is part of Nintendo's defense in a class-action lawsuit seeking compensation for consumers affected by price hikes.
Physical PS5 Game Sales Are Weaker Than You Might Expect
New data indicates a significant decline in physical PlayStation 5 game sales in the US, with only two titles selling over 10,000 units in a recent week. Experts suggest that Sony's move towards digital-only distribution, driven by profit and control, is irreversible despite public petitions. This trend is exemplified by Grand Theft Auto 6, which will be a digital-exclusive release.
The stage seems set for the Steam Frame's arrival as VR headset shipments are sitting in warehouses, but Valve is apparently still working on its "gamepad mode"
Valve's upcoming VR headset, the Steam Frame, appears to be nearing its launch as shipments are reportedly arriving in warehouses. Despite rumors of a delay due to the development of a "gamepad mode," recent updates to SteamVR and the addition of a "great on Frame" tag suggest an imminent release. The article also touches on the competitive VR market and potential pricing strategies for the headset.
Industry analyst reports only 7 PlayStation games 'have sold more than 100,000 physical units year-to-date' in the US, as fans demand Sony kill its plan to end the production of discs
Industry analyst Mat Piscatella reports that only seven PlayStation games have sold over 100,000 physical units in the US year-to-date, with only two selling over 10,000 in a single week. This data emerges as fans protest Sony's planned discontinuation of physical disc production in January 2028, though analysts suggest the company will not reverse its decision due to the profitability of digital sales.
Sony Quietly Retracts PlayStation Plus Premium PS5 Game for July
Sony has corrected an earlier announcement regarding a PlayStation Plus Premium game for July, clarifying that Indigo Prophecy/Fahrenheit is not receiving a new PS5 port. Instead, the PS4 version from 2016 is being added to the catalog, which the article notes does not perform optimally on the PlayStation 5.
Sony Ends Discs in 2028. Why Nintendo Won't Follow.
Sony plans to cease production of physical discs for PlayStation in January 2028, shifting entirely to digital distribution. This move contrasts with Nintendo's continued support for physical media and retail partnerships. The article analyzes the historical and business reasons behind these divergent strategies, suggesting Sony's decision prioritizes efficiency and margin over retail relationships, while Nintendo's approach aims to maintain long-term market presence and cultural relevance by keeping its intellectual property circulating through physical touchpoints.
Stellar Blade Switch 2 age rating suggests release date news could be imminent, and we probably won't be seeing any…
Stellar Blade has received an M rating from the ESRB for its Nintendo Switch 2 version, suggesting an imminent release date announcement. The rating indicates that the game will retain its mature content, including depictions of violence and sexualization, similar to its PlayStation 5 and PC releases. This port is expected to launch in 2026.
Sony files another lawsuit against AI music generator Udio
Sony has filed another lawsuit against the AI music generator Udio. Sony is the only major music label that has not yet reached a deal with Udio.
As Sony plans to kill discs, PS5 publisher says "physical games help us reach audiences that digital often can't," even if "digital distribution has made games more accessible"
Serenity Forge CEO Zhenghua Yang stated that physical games remain crucial for reaching audiences that digital distribution cannot, citing discovery in retail, gifting, and accessibility in areas with limited internet. While acknowledging digital's role in industry growth, Yang views physical and digital as complementary, enabling games to reach the widest possible audience. This comes as Sony plans to cease disc production in 2028, a move that has generated significant player backlash.
US physical game sales hit new low as dev hits out at fans over digital protests
US physical game sales have reached a new low, with only seven games selling over 100,000 physical copies in the past year, according to analyst Mat Piscatella. This trend is contributing to Sony's decision to phase out physical releases for PlayStation games after 2027, despite consumer backlash. Chet Faliszek noted that consumer preference for digital purchases, which account for 85% of PlayStation 4 and 5 sales, is driving this industry shift.
Final Tonalite Wireless Earbuds Review
The Final Tonalite wireless earbuds offer a compelling audio experience, particularly through their personalized DTAS sound profiling technology which significantly enhances sound quality. They feature Bluetooth 6.0, LDAC support, and effective active noise cancellation, rivaling Sony's offerings. While the sound is exceptional, the design and build quality are considered a mixed bag, and the setup process involves a unique head-scanning procedure.
Despite outrage at Sony's shift towards a discless future, only seven PlayStation games have managed more than 100,000 physical sales in the US this year
Despite consumer outcry, only seven PlayStation games have sold over 100,000 physical copies in the US this year, highlighting Sony's business rationale for shifting away from physical discs. Analyst Mat Piscatella noted that in a single week, only two PlayStation games exceeded 10,000 physical sales. Sony plans to cease physical disc production in January 2028.
PlayStation Plus Extra, Premium July 2026 Games Rolling Out Now
Sony's PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium tiers are rolling out their July 2026 game additions, with staggered releases by region. Titles available this week include Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, Rise of the Ronin, and Dying Light, among others. Specific release dates vary, with some games launching globally on July 21st and others on July 28th in the US, UK, and Japan.
Former Valve writer says PlayStation killing physical discs is no conspiracy: "You, the consumer, have made your…
Former Valve writer Chet Faliszek argues that consumers are responsible for PlayStation's move away from physical discs, citing a strong preference for digital purchases. He points to low physical sales figures and the popularity of digital-only services like Game Pass as evidence that players have driven this industry shift.
Only 7 PlayStation games have sold over 100,000 physical copies in the US this year, says analyst, as commenters demand…
Industry analyst Mat Piscatella reports that only seven PlayStation games have sold over 100,000 physical copies in the US this year, suggesting a decline in physical media sales. Despite fan outcry for physical discs, data indicates that digital sales are dominant, with over half of Xbox Series consoles and a quarter of PlayStation 5 consoles lacking physical drives.
PS6 will avoid PS5 overheating problem reveals Sony patent
A recently published Sony patent suggests the upcoming PlayStation 6 will feature a revised cooling system designed to prevent overheating issues that affected some early PlayStation 5 models. This new vaporisation-based system aims to improve efficiency and eliminate liquid metal leakage problems, regardless of console orientation.
Two weeks after Sony announced it was killing discs, Best Buy has a rock-bottom price on a PS5 Digital Edition
Best Buy is offering the original PlayStation 5 Digital Edition console for $349.99, a significant discount compared to current prices for the Slim model. This deal comes as Sony plans to discontinue physical media support after 2028, making digital-only consoles a more prominent consideration.
Marathon’s game director resigned from Bungie for ‘something new, somewhere else’
Joe Ziegler, game director for Bungie's upcoming game Marathon, has announced his resignation from the company. He expressed gratitude to fans for their support and stated that the mission for Marathon will continue under new leadership, with Del Chafe III and Julia Nardin taking over. Ziegler is moving on to a new opportunity elsewhere.
