Anyone of a certain generation will remember trading video game cartridges in the schoolyard, an essential part of a hobby where new titles cost more than a month¡¯s allowance.
But the idea that games are something you can borrow or lend ¡ª or perhaps even own ¡ª is soon to be a thing of the past. Sony Group announced it would stop making physical PlayStation 5 discs, which means new titles can only be purchased digitally after January 2028.
The backlash from fans and developers was swift. Hideo Kojima, the auteur creator of the Metal Gear franchise that deals with themes of government control of information, summed up the mood. ¡°Digital data will no longer be owned by individuals on their own initiative,¡± he said, retweeting this week comments he first made in 2021 as the industry began to move in this direction. ¡°We will not be able to freely access the movies, books and music that we have loved.¡± An X account for Domino¡¯s Pizza, meanwhile, joked that the move made as much sense as selling digital pizzas.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.