End of Physical PlayStation Games: Mélenchon Denounces 'Triumph of Total Commodification'

Sony's decision to cease the production of physical video games for PlayStation consoles has drawn sharp criticism from French presidential candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon. The move, which will see all future PlayStation game releases exclusively in digital format, has been decried by Mélenchon as a "triumph of total commodification."

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With the end of physical games, the video game industry wants to impose a fully digital future on us, with access that will be conditional and limited in time. The buyer's rights will be denied. It's the triumph of total commodification: you pay full price for only a revocable right of access. Let's not let them confiscate our cultural heritage. Let's take back control!

In a statement on social media, Mélenchon argued that the end of physical game releases forces consumers into an all-digital ecosystem. He contends that this digital-only future will offer conditional and time-limited access, effectively denying buyers their rights. "You pay full price for only a revocable right of access," he stated, urging people not to let the industry "confiscate our cultural heritage" and to "take back control."

Mélenchon further elaborated on the economic impact, highlighting the blow to the second-hand market. "They are dealing a fatal blow to the entire second-hand economy, to all players who cannot afford to spend 80 euros on a game," said Leïla Chaibi, a Member of the European Parliament from Mélenchon's La France Insoumise party. She added that these games will no longer belong to those who pay for them, emphasizing that video games are cultural goods, not mere commodities.

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They are dealing a fatal blow to the entire second-hand economy, to all players who cannot afford to spend 80 euros on a game. These games will no longer belong to those who pay for them.

The politician vowed that if his party wins the next election, they would address this issue in 2027. Sony's announcement, made via a blog post, has sparked disappointment among many gamers who will now need to purchase games through the PlayStation Store or acquire download codes from retailers.

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Tomorrow, you will pay without ever owning anything. No lending, no resale, no guarantee of keeping what we paid for. Video games are not a simple commodity, they are a cultural good and current law must apply to them.