PlayStation
Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for PlayStation.
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Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced is the first Assassin's Creed game ever to hit over 100,000 concurrent players on Steam, and it only took 3 days
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced has achieved a new record for the franchise on Steam, surpassing 100,000 concurrent players just three days after its July 9 release. This figure significantly exceeds previous Assassin's Creed titles, including Assassin's Creed Shadows and Assassin's Creed Odyssey, highlighting the remake's strong performance on PC despite mixed initial reviews.
God of War Laufey släpps på skiva – och bör därmed komma innan 2028
Sony Santa Monica has confirmed that God of War: Laufey will be released on disc, indicating a launch before 2028. This follows Sony's announcement that no new PlayStation games will be released on physical media after 2027. The game will feature Kratos's wife, Faye, as the playable character.
PlayStation Ending Discs is Like Apple Shipping PCs Without Disc Drives in 2008, Says Analyst
Analyst Daniel Ahmad compares Sony's decision to end PlayStation disc production to Apple's removal of disc drives from PCs in 2008, suggesting the move is a future-facing inevitability driven by the dominance of digital sales. He notes that digital sales now account for around 80% on PlayStation and over 90% on Xbox, with physical media representing only about 5% of Sony's software revenue. Ahmad believes this shift allows Sony to increase margins, strengthen its ecosystem by preventing game resales, and focus on higher-spending core gamers.
Dutch consumer group suing PlayStation argues the end of physical discs just proves its point: 'Sony alone decides what a game costs and even how long you are allowed to use it'
A Dutch consumer group, Stichting Massaschade & Consument, is suing Sony for €400 million over its 30% PlayStation Store tax, arguing that the upcoming discontinuation of physical discs by 2028 will give Sony complete control over game pricing and usage. The group compares Sony's practices to those of Apple and Steam, highlighting concerns about consumer ownership and lack of alternatives.
The PlayStation physical games debacle is taking over everything Sony does — it’s the biggest tech PR disaster since Sonos’ app update, so will Sony learn the lessons that turned Sonos around?
Sony's move towards digital-only game sales is causing significant backlash from PlayStation owners concerned about cost, resale value, and true ownership, drawing parallels to Sonos' past app update disaster. The article suggests Sony could learn from Sonos' approach to rebuilding customer trust through humility and improved execution, but questions whether the company will prioritize this over its business interests, given its large customer base.
The Descent - how game devs learned to love ladders
This article explores the complex history and design considerations of ladders in video games, from early problematic implementations to modern, nuanced approaches. Developers like Arkane Austin and Hideo Kojima have experimented with ladders as both gameplay mechanics and narrative tools, highlighting how even simple elements can significantly impact player experience and game design.
[Let’s Talk] How many games are you buying physically these days?
PlayStation is ending the production of physical game discs starting in January 2028, a move met with negative reactions. While digital game sales are increasing, a segment of players still values physical copies. The article prompts readers to share their own purchasing habits regarding physical versus digital games.
EU admits it cannot stop Sony killing physical discs – "companies are free to offer games and services in the manner that they see fit"
The European Union has stated it cannot prevent Sony from discontinuing physical game discs for PlayStation consoles starting January 2028, citing commercial freedoms. Despite a petition with over 286,000 signatures, EU consumer protection commissioner Michael McGrath confirmed that companies are free to offer games and services as they see fit, provided consumer rights are protected.
EU Says It's Powerless to Stop PlayStation From Killing Discs: 'Companies Are Free to Offer Games and Services in the Manner They See Fit'
The European Union has stated it cannot intervene to prevent companies like Sony from phasing out physical game discs in favor of digital distribution. The EU views such decisions as a company's prerogative regarding how they offer games and services.
"Sony waited for Rockstar to make the first move": Founding Xbox member warns against PlayStation's all-digital future, says "I trust" Steam games won't just disappear
Industry veteran Laura Fryer, a founding member of the original Xbox, warns about the risks of an all-digital future for gaming, citing PlayStation's move away from physical discs. She shares a personal anecdote about losing hundreds of dollars in Rock Band songs due to delisting, highlighting the impermanence of digital ownership and the potential loss of the second-hand market. Fryer suggests Sony is waiting for major releases like Grand Theft Auto 6 to normalize digital-only sales before fully committing.
Call of Duty fans surprised to discover new Black Ops 2 port preserves the emblem editor, not surprised to find…
Activision has released updated ports of Call of Duty: Black Ops and Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 for PlayStation, featuring 1080p upscaling. Notably, the beloved emblem editor from both games has been preserved, leading to the creation of controversial and offensive designs by players, a situation the article suggests could have been mitigated with an option to disable custom emblems.
PlayStation and Xbox are both dead, they just don’t realise it yet - Reader’s Feature
A reader argues that both PlayStation and Xbox are in terminal decline due to recent layoffs, a move away from physical media, and increasing prices. The author believes that in ten years, only PC and Nintendo consoles will remain dominant, with Xbox and PlayStation potentially becoming third-party publishers.
Engagement Ring
Steam is reportedly experiencing another record year, with user engagement and concurrent player counts continuing to rise. This surge in popularity comes as competitors like Xbox and PlayStation face challenges in the market.
This Isn’t The First Time PlayStation (And Others) Tried To Kill Used Games
This article discusses how Sony's move away from physical media by 2028 is a culmination of past industry trends, specifically the 'online pass' system implemented by publishers like EA, Ubisoft, and PlayStation in the late 2000s and early 2010s. This practice required single-use codes for online functionality, effectively hindering the used game market and leading to consumer backlash. Despite initial justifications related to online service costs, the practice was phased out, and Sony even championed used games for the PlayStation 4. The article suggests that current market trends, favoring digital sales, now allow platform holders to reintroduce similar restrictions.
Commissioner says the EU can't stop Sony from ending physical games: "Companies are free to offer games and…
An EU commissioner stated that companies are free to decide how they offer games, implying that Sony's decision to cease production of physical game discs by 2028 is within their commercial rights. This statement comes as collectors and preservationists rally against the move, but it suggests legal intervention is unlikely. Analysts predict Sony will not reverse its decision, with future consoles like the PlayStation 6 potentially omitting disc drives entirely.
The next PlayStation looks more and more like a PC, and that's not a bad thing
Sony's decision to end physical disc production in January 2028 for PlayStation consoles is discussed, drawing parallels to the PC's digital-first market. While acknowledging the nostalgia for physical media and concerns about content ownership, the article suggests that a discless future could be positive if Sony ensures steady digital discounts. The author proposes limited edition physical releases as a compromise to keep physical media alive.
Share of the Week: Portraits
PlayStation's Share of the Week highlighted community-submitted portraits from various games, including Horizon Zero Dawn, Cyberpunk 2077, and Red Dead Redemption 2. Players used #PSshare and #PSBlog to submit their creations, with the next theme being 'Sun' due July 15, 2026.
Xbox Is Teasing Something Big For Next Week Amid Disc-To-Digital Rumors
Xbox Insiders have been teased about a significant announcement coming next week, fueling rumors of a disc-to-digital program. This potential feature would allow players to transition their physical game libraries to digital formats. The news comes amid speculation about Xbox's next-generation console, codenamed Project Helix, and follows Sony's controversial decision to cease PlayStation disc manufacturing in 2028.
PlayStation Account Flaw Makes No Discs a Big Issue for Millions
Sony's PlayStation accounts face a significant issue regarding region restrictions, particularly concerning an all-digital future. Users with accounts in regions where they do not reside, or in countries not supported by PlayStation Network, are at risk of losing access to their digital libraries if Sony enforces its terms of service. This policy prevents users from changing their account region, creating a dilemma for millions who have accumulated digital games and content over years.
Xbox needs to make a choice, says former PlayStation leader Shawn Layden: be a publisher or a platform, but you can't be both
Former PlayStation leader Shawn Layden argues that Xbox must choose between being a major game publisher or a platform holder, stating it cannot effectively be both. He highlights the need for exclusive content to support a platform, contrasting it with the multiplatform approach required for a top publisher, a dilemma exacerbated by recent Xbox layoffs and strategic shifts.
