Digital-Only Games
Ongoing coverage on Digital-Only Games.
Latest coverage
Sony May Have the Data on Its Side, but It’s Still Losing the Digital-Only Argument
Sony's decision to move to digital-only games by 2028 has faced significant backlash, with consumers concerned about game preservation and the loss of physical media. Despite this, the company has remained largely silent, possibly anticipating the reaction and relying on declining physical sales data. The article questions the long-term viability of an all-digital future, citing potential issues with online infrastructure and the importance of physical media for certain markets and consumer preferences.
Xbox Network Is Down Right Now, Microsoft Confirms
The Xbox Network is currently experiencing widespread outages affecting account sign-ins, store access, and gaming services. Microsoft has confirmed the issues and is working on a fix, though no estimated time for resolution has been provided. This outage follows a recent disruption on the PlayStation Network and raises concerns about the reliability of digital-only game access.
PS5 network goes down just before weekend and as usual Sony is saying nothing
The PlayStation Network experienced a significant outage on a Friday, impacting PlayStation 5 users and preventing access to online services, the PlayStation Store, and PlayStation Plus. Sony faced criticism for its delayed communication regarding the issue, which coincided with the open beta for Marvel's Tōkon: Fighting Souls. The outage has also raised concerns about Sony's future plans for digital-only games.
EU can't stop Sony going digital-only as God Of War Laufey confirmed for 2027
An EU commissioner stated that the European Union cannot prevent Sony from phasing out physical game discs by 2028, provided consumer rights are protected. Despite industry backlash and petitions, Sony is proceeding with its digital-only strategy, with the PlayStation 6 likely built around this shift. However, Santa Monica Studio has confirmed that God of War Laufey will receive a physical release in 2027, making it one of the last first-party disc-based PlayStation 5 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.
Sony’s No More Discs Debacle Was Inevitable, But The Worst Is Yet To Come
Sony has announced the end of PlayStation disc production by 2028, implying the PlayStation 6 will be digital-only. This move, driven by market trends favoring digital sales, raises concerns about game preservation and long-term accessibility, especially with the upcoming closure of the PlayStation Store for PS Vita and PS3. The article draws parallels to Nintendo's digital storefront closures, highlighting the risks of relying solely on publishers for game access and questioning future consumer rights.
Games Inbox: Will Sony do a U-turn on PS5 discs?
Readers discuss Sony's potential shift to digital-only for the PlayStation 5, with speculation that Rockstar Games' desire for full profits from Grand Theft Auto 6 might be a factor. The article also touches on layoffs at id Software and the business strategies of Microsoft and Xbox, questioning their long-term viability.
Why do Xbox and PlayStation hate video games and their customers? - Reader’s Feature
A reader expresses concern over the current state of the video games industry, citing recent negative news from Sony and anticipated issues from Microsoft. The author criticizes both companies for perceived anti-consumer practices, such as going all-digital and shutting down older online stores, while questioning the passion of executives compared to Nintendo. The piece laments the shift from competition to a perceived lack of incentive to please fans, suggesting games have become solely a means to extract money.
Something for the Weekend – 04/07/26
This week's gaming news includes Sony phasing out physical disc production by 2028 and closing PlayStation Store access for PS3 and Vita again. Xbox is reportedly testing a disc-to-digital feature. Several games received release date changes or confirmations, including Onimusha: Warlords and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered. Reviews were published for Rhythm Paradise Groove and WILL: Follow The Light, alongside previews for Fatekeeper, Witchspire, Dziady, Doom: The Dark Ages, and Splatoon Raiders.
What kind of PS6 could justify a $1,000 price tag? | Opinion
The article speculates on how Sony could justify a potential $1,000 price tag for the PlayStation 6, suggesting a significant departure from current-gen hardware is necessary. It explores the challenges posed by rising component costs and the potential shift towards a digital-only, possibly more portable, console design, referencing the discontinuation of physical game sales and the success of the PlayStation Portal.
The Video Game History Foundation calls on the ESA to offer "meaningful solutions" for preserving digital-only games
The Video Game History Foundation, through its director Frank Cifaldi, is urging the Entertainment Software Association to develop meaningful solutions for preserving digital-only games. Cifaldi highlights that physical media is becoming obsolete and even digital patches render physical copies unrepresentative of the final product, calling for legal frameworks to aid archives and museums in preservation efforts.
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.
Next Xbox, Project Helix, Will Reportedly Not Have a Disc Drive
Reports indicate the next Xbox console, codenamed Project Helix, will be a discless model, eliminating support for physical media. This follows PlayStation's announcement of ending physical disc production in 2028 and Rockstar Games' confirmation of no disc version for Grand Theft Auto VI. The move raises significant concerns for game preservation and the physical game market, with figures like Frank Cifaldi of the Video Game History Foundation highlighting the challenges for archiving digital-only content.
Games Inbox: Is GTA 6 being hyped too much?
Readers discuss whether Grand Theft Auto 6 is receiving excessive hype, with some questioning the series' controls and the trend towards digital-only releases. The conversation also touches on rising console prices, the impact of AI on the industry, and the potential for remakes like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
Games Inbox: Will you boycott GTA 6 for being digital-only?
Readers discuss the implications of Grand Theft Auto 6 being digital-only at launch, with some considering a boycott to protest the lack of physical copies and high price. The discussion also touches on the evolution of game remakes, the enduring appeal of classic franchises like Star Fox and Sonic, and the anniversary of Quake.
