Sony PlayStation No Longer Supporting Physical Games - Causes A GTA 6 Level Meltdown
More unfortunate news coming from the Gaming Industry this week.
Sony PlayStation recently announced a discontinuation of physical gaming media starting in 2028 -- and it has resulted in a MASSIVE backlash online. Part of the fuel firing up the backlash is that Sony claims that trends in consumer preference is at the root of this decision.
Here is the full Press Release - go read it before they pull it down, then come back for my thoughts!
What This Change Means
If you've ever bought a physical video game before, outside of live service games, (i.e. games which require internet connections to play) you usually will be buying a plastic game case with a manual and disc inside, printed with the completed game on it.
I recently posted about Ads in Games, and touched on the importance of Physical Game media - go take a look at that one when you have a moment. But for a visual, here's what physical games usually contain:
Physical Video Games Often Come With Manuals, CD's & Art Books
When you purchase physical media with a game printed on it, you also gain one of the most important things in the world -- ownership.
Most of the time this means you can play the game forever. Collect them. Share them with a friend. Even sell it.
With physical media, the consumer has options.
According to Sony, in 2028 you will not have these options any longer with PlayStation games.
A Potentially Anti-Consumer Decision
Now to the backlash, oh my lord, the backlash. It's actually quite stunning folks. This could end up being, perhaps the biggest Marketing, Leadership & PR nightmare for any company in a decade.
Let me put it into perspective for you.
The Sony PlayStation announcement's view count has, in mere days, SURPASSED the view count of the leaked GTA 6 Trailer announcement.
Let's look at some numbers;
Rockstar Leak Announcement: 126M Views
Sony Announcement: 156M Views
For those of you who are unaware, Grand Theft Auto is a multi-billion dollar cultural phenomenon that doesn't just dominate the gaming industry, it shapes modern entertainment. Their last game alone GTA V, was the most financially successful media product of all time across all forms of entertainment.
Here's a visual for you:
While Mario & Pokémon sell more games, a single GTA title like GTA V generates a level of profit that rivals entire franchises.
To say that the anticipation for the GTA 6 trailer was high, is the mother of all understatements, and for Sony to eclipse the views of the Rockstar leak announcement should be stunning to Sony Leadership.
A Discourse Pulse Check
If you're interested in hearing what some major influencers in the gaming community are saying about the topic, here are a few I suggest you check out:
After monitoring the situation for days now, it appears that the discourse around this announcement overall has been negative, as gamers like myself want physical media to continue in some form, with many asking for Digital Download as an option - not the rule.
Gamers it seems are so genuinely frustrated by the Sony announcement that they've turned to community noting the Sony announcement constantly, now with an astonishing (8) total at the time of this posting. That is a ludicrous number by any measure.
Here is the latest one, highlighting an EU regulation which some claim (I feel it’s dubious) could cause Sony issues with this all-digital move.
Other Brand Trolling
Sony PlayStation has also been the recipient of several hilarious troll posts by other big brands mocking this change to all-digital.
Of all the ones I’ve seen, I feel the best troll has to go to Domino’s Pizza UK:
Digital License Risks to Gamers
I encourage every gamer and parent of a gamer to consider the implications of this announcement on your future console purchases.
If Sony stands their ground and discontinues offering physical media for their platform, I feel this will demonstrably change the relationship the company has with it's current customer base, and it could fracture.
This will result in fewer games and perhaps less entertainment offered by the platform, so investing in the upcoming PS6 could mean you're buying an underutilized game platform with a shrinking customer base vs. other available options such as a PC or a Steam Machine.
Losing Access To Your Purchases
But by far, the biggest element animating gamer dissatisfaction with Sony's announcement is the real potential for gamers to lose access to purchases.
Follow me down this path with a quick thought experiment.
- Let's say Sony does goes forth with this all digital world.
- All your future games are based upon a license to access them, not physical ownership.
- Sony must license these games from publishers, then sell you the "access" to play them.
- Years may go by and a Major Publisher goes BK, or the CEO of Sony talks trash and offends a Major Publisher CEO.
- Major Publisher CEO could be unable or unwilling to renew said license agreement with Sony.
- Sony can no longer legally offer you access to games or media from this Major Publisher any longer
- Bam, you lose the game product from your account.
Here it is in a nice visual for you -- all the risk lies on us, the gamers, and all the benefits rest with the Console Creators & Publishers.
Think This Won’t Happen?
Don't think this could happen? Well I've got you covered there. Here's a great example of nearly the exact scenario coming true.
According to Techspot, Sony will be removing 551 movies and TV shows from their network, some of which you may have purchased including titles like John Wick, Paddington, and Terminator 2. This is apparently due to a failure of licensing renewals with the company Studio Canal.
The risk to gamers here couldn't be more clear. This exact situation will happen with your games, it's just be a matter of when and which ones.
But Wait. There's more!
Another hot button issue on this same topic is that Sony also adjusted their Terms of Service to add language which states they can disable your account, and access to the contents and products you've purchased inside of that very account, if you're not connected to their portal for 36 months.
I don't know about you, but if I purchased something I expect to own it, indefinitely. Physical products allows for that, all-digital won't.
Sony's Position (2013)
Now Mark, you might be saying, don't worry mate - other companies like Amazon and Netflix do the same thing right now!
Sure they do, and that doesn't make this situation any better for gamers now does it? But don't take my word for it... lets let Sony do the selling that game ownership is a big deal and good for gamers!
Watch this:
Sony Using Physical Game Ownership As A Sales Pitch
What Sony Must Do Now & Soon
Sony lit a firestorm, and now they have no choice but to try and put it out. So far, they've been radio silent for days, but I actually believe this is a good thing.
Right now, I guarantee you there are constant leadership meetings internally at Sony to determine just what to say because an off-the-cuff comment at this point could be further devastating to their brand, so they're clearly going silent to get their story straight.
Here's my totally unsolicited advice to those executives at this point:
- Remember that in a world of constant distraction, people do not NEED to play on a PlayStation, they chose to.
- If you believe this change is good for gamers, come out swinging and sell us on it.
- If you can't, you must roll back this change.
Unfortunately for Sony, I strongly believe this is a net-negative for consumers and they will be forced to roll this back.
The Wrap Up - How Gamers Can Be Heard
The one thing Sony PlayStation and Leadership teams must absolutely not do, is try to hide or mute the outrage on their decision.
I can imagine that this is tempting to panicking executives, but there have been accusations that Sony is removing or suppressing Community Notes -- this is only going to enflame the community even further. Do not do this Sony!
But now that you've heard my opinions on this topic and seen some of the major discourse around this controversial announcement, why not let your voice be heard? Whether you agree with Sony or disagree, here are a few ways you can share your opinion:
- Social Media: Sony Announcement Post
- PlayStation Plus: How to Cancel
- In the Future: Don't buy a PS6
Until more news breaks or Sony speaks on the topic, which I feel they must soon, that's all for now.
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