This is the big point for me. If one buys a digital PlayStation game there's virtually no easy way to transfer it to another owner or sell it like one could do in past console generations. There will always be modding and ways to play game dumps, but it limits that level of "ownership" to those technically inclined to make it work.

Ebay, to buy: $11 + shipping[0]

PS Store, to rent: $60[1]

[0] https://www.ebay.com/itm/298370753624

[1] https://www.playstation.com/en-us/games/dark-souls-iii/

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48745456 Physical disc production ending in Jan 2028 for new games on PlayStation (playstation.com)

1 hour ago, 32+ comments

Clearly that’s no longer necessary. Download-only retail boxes or gift cards or whatever are enough.

I know some people really care about physical releases, but I think the writing has been on the wall for years that this was coming.

<Unplugs PS5>

This way you will finally own nothing except for maybe console rent arrears.

Not sure what the sales are like on PS but at least on Steam you can find great deals for the digital copies as well. (You lose the reselling though)

_Goddamn citation needed!_

The moment you need an account or server to play you don't own the game. I think governments should step in here. They must force stores to use words like rent or lease instead of buy. That way it is way more clear where you are going to spend money on.

I guess this resource is relevant to the topic at hand. It lists games and whether you can play and complete them fully from disc without an internet connection

But 'physical media' is one of the reasons why a lot o people make a distinction between PC and console games. Removing this will make it easier for consumers to compare a PS5 to a Steam machine, and I don't think that is a good thing for Sony.

That means that when the PS8 rolls around, any games you've bought for the digital-only PS6 will be unplayable, so think about that when you buy digital games when that (and for PS5 now) comes through.