PlayStation is in Trouble Again, This Time in 5 Countries
PlayStation’s plan to stop producing physical discs for new games from 2028 onwards has not only drawn criticism from gamers but has also escalated into legal action. It is argued that Sony’s shift to a digitally-driven future will reduce consumer choices and weaken the secondary market. The company, however, states that these reactions have not significantly harmed its business results so far and that it will not reverse its decision.
In Which Countries is PlayStation Facing Lawsuits?
According to reports, PlayStation is currently facing lawsuits in five different countries – the US, UK, Netherlands, Portugal, and Mexico – for similar reasons. The main claim is that Sony’s complete abandonment of physical games could reduce competition and make players more dependent on the digital store. Previously, a lawsuit worth approximately €400 million also arose over the abandonment of physical media.
One of the common threads in these lawsuits is the consumer’s right to choose. Physical games allow players to compare prices from different stores, buy second-hand products, or resell their existing discs. It’s argued that if digital distribution becomes completely dominant, these options will largely disappear. The recent application, particularly in Mexico, specifically emphasizes that the disappearance of the second-hand market will negatively impact both consumers and retailers.
The debate has actually been growing for some time. Sony’s decision to discontinue physical discs, the 2028 warning added to the new PlayStation 5 boxes, and the PS Blackout campaign created by players, all of which we previously detailed, demonstrate the extent of the backlash. A petition calling for the return of physical games has reportedly garnered over 250,000 signatures.
Despite this, there are no signs of backtracking from Sony at the moment. Company executives argue that the decision to discontinue physical discs hasn’t negatively impacted business performance. However, the outcome of the lawsuits filed in five different countries could be crucial. For PlayStation, the real issue is no longer just managing player reactions; How the digital future will be evaluated in terms of competition law and consumer rights is also becoming an increasingly significant issue.
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