Sony
Sony business and news from across the web.
Latest coverage
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.
‘You've become the villain you mocked’ - PS5 fans slam Sony over classic video
Fans are criticizing Sony's shift away from physical PlayStation 5 game releases, drawing parallels to a 2013 instructional video where Sony championed game sharing against Microsoft's policies. The article highlights user comments expressing resentment over Sony's current digital-only direction, contrasting it with past marketing. Former PlayStation executives Shuhei Yoshida and Adam Boyes are mentioned as having departed the company.
'I will quit buying games' — Sony is killing physical discs in 2028 and now unhappy fans are concerned about what it means for game ownership
Sony plans to cease production of physical game discs by January 2028, a decision that has sparked significant backlash from PlayStation fans concerned about game ownership. Many users expressed that this move effectively turns game purchases into mere licenses and are considering boycotting future PlayStation consoles, including the anticipated PlayStation 6, which is speculated to launch without a disc drive.
PlayStation’s Digital-Only Future Makes Sony’s Dynamic Pricing Harder To Ignore
With Sony ending disc production for PlayStation 5 games in 2028, the company's recent implementation of dynamic pricing on the PlayStation Store becomes more concerning. This model adjusts game prices based on factors like user habits and location, leading to significant price discrepancies for titles like Stellar Blade and Astro Bot. The shift to an all-digital future, coupled with dynamic pricing, raises concerns about potential cost increases and unpredictable pricing for consumers.
Game preservation expert says stop killing games if you don't want piracy, because companies like PlayStation and Rockstar "refuse to offer a meaningful alternative"
Game preservation expert Frank Cifaldi argues that companies like Sony and Rockstar Games are contributing to piracy by refusing to offer alternatives to digital-only or soon-to-be-discontinued physical game formats. Cifaldi, director of the Video Game History Foundation, stated that piracy is currently the only effective form of game preservation due to industry practices.
Sony's PlayStation 6 is now estimated to cost over $900 in materials alone, signalling a launch price tag double…
Early estimates suggest the PlayStation 6 could have a Bill of Materials cost of around $960, significantly higher than previous console generations. This is attributed to ongoing memory supply issues, potentially leading to a launch price tag double that of the PlayStation 5. Hardware leaker KeplerL2 provided the estimate, which, while unofficial, aligns with concerns about rising component costs impacting future console pricing.
Evercade creators Blaze dunk on PlayStation for ending physical using their own PS4-era mockery
Blaze, the creator of the Evercade retro console, has satirized Sony's decision to end physical PlayStation 5 discs in 2028. Using a mock tutorial similar to a 2014 PlayStation 4 video, Blaze highlights the importance of physical media for game sharing and preservation. The article argues that ditching discs limits game ownership and accessibility, contrasting it with Blaze's own cartridge-based ecosystem.
Report: Xbox is testing a feature to digitize physical games
Xbox is reportedly testing a new feature that would allow players to digitize their physical game collections for Xbox One and Xbox Series X consoles. This disc-to-digital functionality would grant a digital entitlement tied to the physical disc, enabling streaming via Xbox Cloud Gaming or access on PC for compatible titles. The feature is currently in internal testing, and its inclusion in future consoles is undecided, amidst Sony's announced pivot away from physical discs for PlayStation software by 2028.
Sony says AI is "exciting," great for "synthetic assets," and an "important foundational technology supporting our strategy"
Sony executives have expressed enthusiasm for Artificial Intelligence, viewing it as a foundational technology that will enhance game development efficiency, player experience, and content creation. The company is exploring AI for applications such as improving data analysis for fraud prevention and utilizing synthetic assets as placeholders to speed up development and improve quality.
Did you spend $80 for the PS5 Disc Drive? Well, by 2028 you'll have a nice white paper weight on your hands
Sony's announcement to end physical disc production for new PlayStation 5 games in 2028 renders the official PS5 Disc Drive accessory redundant for future releases. This shift to digital-only formats by 2028 impacts owners who invested in the drive, limiting their access to new games and the benefits of physical media like price comparison and game sharing.
Nintendo Could Inherit The Physical Gaming Crown By Default
Sony and Microsoft are rumored to be moving towards digital-only consoles for their next generations, potentially leaving Nintendo as the sole major manufacturer still supporting physical game releases. Industry analyst Mat Piscatella believes Nintendo will continue its own strategy, unaffected by competitors' shifts. While Nintendo Switch has a strong physical market share, a significant portion of its sales are digital, and some physical releases utilize Game-Key Cards, raising concerns about long-term game preservation.
Bethesda not-so-subtly brags about its physical Oblivion Remastered Switch 2 cartridge, mere hours after Sony announces…
Bethesda Game Studios is highlighting that The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered Deluxe Edition will be available on a physical game card for the Nintendo Switch 2. This announcement comes shortly after Sony revealed its plan to end physical disc production for new PlayStation games in 2028, sparking discussion about the future of physical media in gaming.
PlayStation Offers Free Multiplayer Days After Upsetting Everyone
Sony is offering a free online multiplayer weekend for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 users from July 3 to July 5, allowing access without a PlayStation Plus subscription. This move comes amidst significant backlash from players regarding changes to digital ownership and subscription models, with the company remaining largely silent on social media.
"Long live physical media": Devs and publishers of Baldur's Gate 3, Silksong, and more call Sony's decision to end physical PlayStation games "genuinely heartbreaking"
Sony's decision to cease production of physical PlayStation game discs starting in 2028 has been met with dismay from developers and publishers. Many express sadness and a loss of desire to develop for the platform, citing the importance of physical media for preservation, collector value, and the joy it brings to players. Companies like Larian Studios, Lost in Cult, and Fangamer are particularly vocal about the impact on their work and their commitment to physical releases.
Analysts say Sony's digital-only plan 'almost certainly guarantees that the PS6 won’t arrive until 2028…
Analysts predict that Sony's plan to halt physical game production by January 2028 indicates the PlayStation 6 will launch in 2028, likely without a disc drive to reduce costs. Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Hideaki Nishino's comments suggest the next-generation console might also incorporate handheld capabilities for a seamless, multi-location experience.
2024 PS5, PS4 RPG Already Delisted From PS Store, No Warning
The 2024 RPG Star Trek: Legends has been removed from the PlayStation Store without prior warning, adding to concerns about a digital-only future for games. Developed by Emerald City Games and published by QubicGames, the title was released just 1.5 years ago. This marks the fourth Star Trek game delisted in less than a year, leaving only Star Trek Online available on the platform.
Sony kills game ownership and says it's all your fault
Sony is phasing out physical game discs for new PlayStation titles by 2028, effectively ending the concept of game ownership as players will no longer be able to buy, sell, or preserve physical copies. This move, driven by business decisions and a lack of competition, raises concerns about game preservation, consumer rights, and the loss of tangible connection to games and their creators.
‘Piracy isn’t theft' but 'moral imperative' say fans after PS5 goes digital-only
Following Sony's announcement to transition the PlayStation 5 to digital-only releases, many gamers and industry figures are advocating for piracy as a means of game preservation and ownership. Critics argue that without physical copies, players lose true ownership, making pirated games a 'moral imperative' for ensuring long-term access to titles.
Even Hideo Kojima is afraid that 'digital data will no longer be owned by individuals' and that access to art…
Hideo Kojima has expressed concerns about the future of digital ownership, fearing that players will eventually lose control over their digital data and access to art. This sentiment is amplified by Sony's reported move towards a fully digital PlayStation ecosystem by 2028, raising anxieties about game preservation and the potential loss of access to purchased content due to external factors like server shutdowns or company closures.
"RIP PLAYSTATION 1994-2026" - Players are flocking to Sony's old PS4 anti-DRM video in the wake of its shock decision to scrap physical games
Sony announced it will cease production of physical discs for PlayStation games starting January 2028, shifting to an all-digital future. This decision has sparked significant backlash from players concerned about anti-consumer practices and the loss of permanent ownership. In response, gamers have revisited a 2013 anti-DRM video featuring Shuhei Yoshida and Adam Boyes, highlighting the perceived shift in Sony's player-centric stance.
