Sony's plan to end physical PS5 discs by 2028 has triggered a $457 million lawsuit, with gamers saying they'll lose the resale market

Sony announced it will phase out physical PlayStation 5 game discs by January 2028, citing a shift toward digital distribution. The decision has drawn sharp criticism from gamers who argue that eliminating discs will destroy the second‑hand market, reduce purchasing options, and drive up prices.

Dutch consumer group Stichting Massaschade & Consument filed a €457 million lawsuit on behalf of about 1.7 million PlayStation users. The group contends that removing physical discs will leave consumers with fewer alternatives and that Sony’s 30 % commission on digital sales will translate into higher costs. They point out that physical retailers pay lower royalties, enabling cheaper used copies, and that the loss of resale value could make consumers less willing to pay full price for new releases.

Industry analysts note that while Sony claims 85 % of sales are already digital, the remaining 15 % still value ownership and resale. "Every resale and rental is value flowing to players and retailers instead of to the platform," said analyst Rhys Elliott. The lawsuit highlights broader trends toward downloadable content and digital distribution, raising questions about game ownership, pricing, and the competitive dynamics between Sony and rivals such as Xbox.

(Source：The Times Of India)