Game Ownership
Ongoing coverage on Game Ownership.
Latest coverage
NY House Rep Ritchie Torres introduces legislation to protect player ownership of games
New York House Representative Ritchie Torres has introduced the 'Power to the Players Act' to protect consumers' ability to own and play purchased video games. The legislation aims to prevent companies from revoking access to games, addressing concerns raised by practices like Ubisoft delisting titles and Sony removing content from its PlayStation Plus service.
US lawmaker calls videogame purchases rentals disguised as sales: 'When you pay for a game, you should own it'
US Representative Ritchie Torres is introducing the "Power To The Players Act" to protect consumers' ability to own purchased video games. The bill aims to have the Federal Trade Commission create regulations ensuring that players truly own games, not just licenses that can be revoked. This initiative addresses concerns about digital distribution, game decommissioning, and the shift away from physical media, exemplified by issues with titles like The Crew.
Ex-PlayStation boss recalls Nintendo employee's reaction to the PSP reveal: "You bastards"
Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden recalled a Nintendo employee's visceral reaction to the PlayStation Portable reveal, highlighting the intense handheld competition of the mid-2000s. Despite Sony's struggles with marketing and piracy, the PSP achieved significant sales, though Layden suggests a dedicated company might be needed for future handheld ventures.
Sony’s Decision to End PlayStation Discs Raises Questions About Ownership, Says Former Exec
Former Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios boss Shawn Layden expressed disagreement with Sony's decision to end PlayStation disc production, citing the importance of physical media buyers and the implications for game ownership. He argues that shifting to digital-only access changes the consumer's perception of ownership and could negatively impact brand reputation, especially in regions with poor internet infrastructure.
"If you don't own it, then what are you buying?": Ex-PlayStation boss says Sony killing discs raises the "insidious" discussion of game ownership
Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden expressed concern over Sony's move away from physical discs, arguing it shifts the focus from game ownership to mere access. He believes this decision alienates dedicated players and could negatively impact the PlayStation brand, despite acknowledging he lacks insight into Sony's financial data.
Lies of P director says he wouldn't settle for a game-key card on Nintendo Switch 2 because everyone at his studio…
Jiwon Choi, director of Lies of P at Nough Studio, stated that the studio plans a full physical release for the game's Complete Edition on the Nintendo Switch 2. This decision stems from the studio's identity as 'proud gamers' who value physical media and the concept of game ownership, contrasting with trends towards digital-only releases.
Who Gets Left Behind In Sony’s All-Digital Future?
Sony's planned discontinuation of PlayStation 5 physical disc production in 2028 raises concerns about accessibility for various groups, including those with limited internet access, public libraries, and gamers in developing countries. While some anticipate challenges related to download sizes and ownership, others note that digital-only gaming is already a reality for many, and factors like the used game market and piracy complicate the transition. The shift could impact gaming communities and the concept of game ownership, even if it streamlines tournament organization.
Take-Two CEO says he expects the games industry to be in 'commercial streaming mode within 3 years,' which is great news if you hate owning things
Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick predicts the gaming industry will fully embrace commercial game streaming within three years, potentially increasing their user base tenfold. He believes cloud gaming will standardize, making more devices gaming-capable and mitigating concerns about rising hardware costs. However, this shift raises significant anxieties among consumers regarding game ownership and long-term access to digital media.
Sony’s Digital-Only Future Is Facing Its Biggest Fight Yet
Sony's move towards a digital-only future for PlayStation is facing significant backlash and legal challenges, including an antitrust motion filed by Mexican lawmakers. Critics argue this strategy limits consumer choice, harms the second-hand market, and raises concerns about true game ownership and long-term access, especially given potential issues with regional availability and internet dependency. Organizations like the Electronic Frontier Foundation and even other companies like GOG have voiced strong opposition, highlighting the erosion of trust and the need for Sony to address these issues.
GOG dunks on Sony and reminds everyone why PC gaming is so beloved: "You don't need a storefront's…
GOG is highlighting the benefits of PC gaming and its own digital distribution model in response to Sony's planned discontinuation of physical disc production in 2028. The company emphasizes that by downloading offline installers, users can retain permanent access to their purchased games without needing a storefront's permission, contrasting this with the potential precariousness of digital-only libraries.
Xbox veteran stresses Sony's all-digital future would compromise game ownership: 'Digital is convenient until someone else decides you’ve had enough'
Xbox founder Laura Fryer has criticized Sony's move towards an all-digital future for PlayStation games, warning that it compromises true game ownership. She points to the discontinuation of physical game discs starting in 2028 and the removal of purchased movies from user libraries as evidence of the risks associated with digital convenience. Fryer suggests Sony is following Rockstar Games' lead with the digital-only Grand Theft Auto 6 to normalize this shift, which she believes ultimately harms consumers by eliminating the used game market and backward compatibility.
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.
Video games need an expiry date if they’re going to be digital only - Reader's Feature
A reader argues that digital-only video games should have a visible 'use by' date, similar to perishable supermarket items. This would inform consumers about how long they can expect to access purchased digital titles, especially as companies like Sony Interactive Entertainment move towards an all-digital future. The author suggests this transparency is necessary given the uncertainty of long-term digital game availability.
End of an era — the historic PlayStation factory that manufactured 24 billion gaming discs is already being turned into a micro-optics lab, just days after Sony announced its digital push
Sony is repurposing its last remaining physical media factory in Austria, which previously manufactured billions of PlayStation discs, into a micro-optics lab. This move follows Sony's announcement to stop releasing PlayStation games on physical discs by 2028, leading to concerns among gamers about digital ownership.
The hard truth about Sony killing PlayStation games on disc
This article argues that the shift towards digital game sales on PlayStation, driven by consumer convenience and industry trends, is inevitable despite vocal opposition. It highlights that legal ownership of games is often a license rather than true ownership, and physical discs are becoming less reliable and representative of the final product.
Games Inbox: Giving up consoles because of PS5 going digital-only
Readers discuss Sony's potential shift to an all-digital PlayStation 5, with concerns about game ownership, pricing, and accessibility for those with poor internet. Some readers are considering switching to PC or Nintendo, while others see digital as a convenient and inevitable evolution, provided consumer rights are protected.
Sony Ends Physical Game Production in 2028 – The Beginning of a Digital-Only Future | Invision Game Community
Sony has confirmed that physical disc production for new PlayStation games will cease by January 2028, marking a significant shift towards a digital-only future. This decision raises concerns about ownership, pricing control, and market competition, as it concentrates sales power within the PlayStation Store and eliminates the second-hand market. While digital distribution offers convenience, critics worry about reduced consumer choice and the long-term preservation of games compared to physical media.
'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.
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.
Sony’s digital-only plans are awful and the PS5 refund system is the worst part
Sony's plan to transition to digital-only PlayStation 5 games is criticized for eliminating game ownership and exacerbating its restrictive refund policy. The article argues this move, coordinated with titles like Grand Theft Auto 6, prioritizes publisher profits over consumer rights and may alienate players.
