EU Powerless to Stop PlayStation from Killing Discs
As gamers sign online petitions and swarm upon each and every PlayStation social media post, the EU has said it’s powerless to actually stop Sony — and indeed any company — from killing discs.
As gamers sign online petitions and swarm upon each and every PlayStation social media post, the EU has said it’s powerless to actually stop Sony — and indeed any company — from killing discs.
Sony's controversial decision to stop releasing games on physical discs has sparked a backlash from gamers upset at the move to an all-digital future for all new PS5 games launched from January 2028 onwards — something that's almost certain to also continue on PS6. A high-profile petition calling on Sony to reconsider its decision is inching towards 300,000 signatures, and in the past few days, PS5 users have taken to social media to share screenshots of cancelled PS Plus subscriptions.
Some had hoped that the EU, which has a record of strict consumer protection, might aid the cause, but Ireland’s EU Commissioner has said Sony cannot be stopped from doing away with physical discs. European Commissioner for consumer protection, Michael McGrath, stated that companies are free to offer games and services as they see fit, as long as consumer rights are protected by law.
The backlash around Sony’s decision involves concerns about ownership and preservation. The European Commission highlighted existing EU consumer law requirements for video game publishers to inform consumers about contract termination conditions. While the EU is not intervening, the Commission plans to work with industry and consumer representatives to establish guidelines for managing video games' "end of life."
