EU Acknowledges Limitations in Regulating Playstation's Digital Shift
WHO:
Eurogamer.net - European Commissioner for consumer protection, Michael McGrath
IGN - Dr. Serkan Toto, CEO of Kantan Games
WHAT:
Kotaku - Shawn Layden, former PlayStation boss, expressed sadness over Sony's decision to cease production of physical disc releases, stating, “I think there’s probably a whole lot of financial analysis that went behind this decision, which made them do that. But as a fan, just strictly as a fan, it just makes me kind of sad.”
IGN - Santa Monica Studio confirmed that "God of War Laufey will be available on disc," suggesting its launch will arrive in 2027.
IGN - Insomniac confirmed that "Marvel’s Wolverine will be released on-disc."
Eurogamer.net - Sony announced the end of all physical media for PlayStation, including games not published by Sony Interactive Entertainment.
Eurogamer.net - All new game releases from January 2028 onwards will be digital-only.
Eurogamer.net - The Don't Kill the Disc Change.org petition has over 286,000 signatures.
IGN - The petition against Sony's decision is nearing 300,000 signatures.
IGN - The European Commission stated it cannot propose a legal obligation to keep video games playable after they stop being commercially provided.
WHERE:
Eurogamer.net - Strasbourg’s European Parliament
IGN - Mention of the European Commission
WHEN:
Eurogamer.net - Sony's decision was announced on July 1.
Eurogamer.net - Digital-only releases will begin from January 2028.
WHY:
Eurogamer.net - McGrath stated that the EU cannot intervene due to "commercial and contractual freedoms."
IGN - The backlash against Sony's decision is related to concerns over ownership and preservation of games.
HOW:
IGN - The European Commission stated it would engage with the games industry and consumer representatives to develop an industry code of conduct on managing video games' "end of life."
IGN - The European Commission pointed to existing EU consumer law requiring video game publishers to inform consumers about contract termination conditions.
(UPDATED July 11, 2026 22:16 UTC)
Shawn Layden, the former head of PlayStation, shared his disappointment over Sony's decision to stop producing physical disc releases, saying it makes him sad as a fan, despite understanding the financial reasoning behind it. In more positive news for gamers, Santa Monica Studio confirmed that "God of War Laufey" will be available on disc, with its launch expected in 2027, and Insomniac also announced that "Marvel’s Wolverine" will be released on-disc. Meanwhile, the European Commission plans to collaborate with the gaming industry and consumer representatives to create a code of conduct focused on managing video games' "end of life."
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(UPDATED July 11, 2026 19:21 UTC)
Sony has announced that it will end all physical media for PlayStation, including games not published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, with digital-only releases set to begin from January 2028. The decision has sparked significant backlash, as evidenced by the Don't Kill the Disc petition, which is nearing 300,000 signatures, reflecting concerns over ownership and preservation of games. The European Commission, represented by Commissioner Michael McGrath, stated that it cannot intervene due to "commercial and contractual freedoms," emphasizing existing EU consumer law that requires publishers to inform consumers about contract termination conditions.