‘Game over’ for Sony’s physical video games, production set to end in 2028 | Global News (CA)

The era of physical video game copies is drawing to a close as Sony announced plans to stop production for its PlayStation consoles in 2028. This decision marks a significant shift in the gaming industry, moving further into a digital-first landscape. Umair Khan, owner of Hi-Tech Gametraders in Saskatoon, a store that has operated since 1998, voiced concerns about the implications for local businesses. "It just used to feel a lot more like ‘for the fans’ kind of thing, whereas now, it’s just you know it really feels like it’s bottom-line bottom-line bottle-line," Khan said, lamenting the perceived shift in focus towards profit over player passion. Khan noted that many gaming stores are diversifying their offerings to include collectibles like Pokémon trading cards and Funko Pops, moving away from their traditional reliance on video games. While he hopes his business can adapt, he acknowledges that physical games are their core identity. "Our bread and butter is still our video games – that’s the main reason people know us, that’s the main reason people come to us." The move also raises questions about game ownership. Unlike physical copies, digital purchases often grant users a license to play rather than outright ownership. Khan pointed to recent delistings of movies on the PlayStation Store, where users lost access to content they had paid for without refunds. "Even if you had spent your money on that movie, you know whether it was $8 or $15 or whatever… they’re delisted now, so you don’t get to own that movie anymore and you’re not getting a refund on that movie either," he explained. Khan expressed surprise at Sony's decision, especially given the perceived struggles of Xbox in the current generation. He stated that customers are also unhappy with the change, with many expressing disappointment over the move away from physical media.

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It just used to feel a lot more like ‘for the fans’ kind of thing, whereas now, it’s just you know it really feels like it’s bottom-line bottom-line bottle-line. That’s what it feels like their focus has become and it’s really unfortunate because I think for gamers, even from yesterday and today, there’s a passion to gaming.