PlayStation Network experienced a massive outage


Sonyβs announcement spells the end of a whole ecosystem built by superfan collectors β and signals a troubling shift in the industry
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Sonyβs decision last week to quietly announce the end of physical games production for the PlayStation in 2028 is one of the most perfect PR disasters in recent gaming history β and considering what has been happening with Xbox, thatβs saying something.
First, there was the timing. Sony posted the news of its decision on the PlayStation blog, less than a week after admitting that it would be deleting 550 movies from the digital libraries of PlayStation owners due to the end of a licensing deal β thereby perfectly illustrating the dangers of purchasing digital products. (Surprise! You never actually owned them!) The move is in stark contrast with the companyβs stance on this very issue back in 2013. When Microsoft was attempting to push Xbox One as a digital-first console with strict controls on the sharing and reselling of its games, Sony brilliantly mocked its rival with a short video on how easy it was to lend physical games to pals on the PS4. Oh dear.
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Β© Photograph: Andrew Kelly/Reuters

Β© Photograph: Andrew Kelly/Reuters

Β© Photograph: Andrew Kelly/Reuters
Some gamers are concerned about the future of game ownership after Sony's announcement today that it wonβt produce physical discs for PlayStation games as of January 2028. On that date, βnew games will be available on PlayStation Store and at retailers in digital formats only,β Sony said in a blog post.
Ditching discs is βa natural directionβ for Sony βto adapt to consumer trends as the general preference for digital media significantly outpaces physical discs," the post said.
During Sonyβs fiscal year ending on March 31, 2026, digital downloads accounted for 78 percent of full-game unit purchases, up from 76 percent in fiscal 2024.


Β© Getty
We finally have a price for Grand Theft Auto VI: $79.99. That gets you the standard edition of the game, while the Ultimate Edition will set you back $99.99.
Preorders start at midnight tonight, local time, when you'll be able to reserve a copy on PS5 or Xbox Series X/S. You'll be able to order either digital or physical editions of the game, though Rockstar has confirmed that even the physical editions contain "a download code inside the box." The upside is that they'll ship from November 12th, allowing buyers of either edition to preload the game ahead of its full release on November 19th.
Anyone who preorders or purchases the game befor β¦



