Latest Playstation, multi-platform Game News & Updates
☁ Playstation, multi-platform News
261 articles
“Profoundly Disappointed:” Companies Respond To Sony’s Decision To End Disc Support
A number of companies have responded to the news that Sony will no longer support physical PlayStation discs(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/sony-confirms-playstation-disc-production-will-end-in-2028/) beginning in 2028. That includes iam8bit, a company known for its physical gaming collectibles, which said it is "profoundly disappointed" by the news. "Physical games are vital to games preservation, ownership, and consumer choice, values that have guided iam8bit since our first physical release in 2016," the company said(https://x.com/iam8bit/status/2072362233422590269). The company added that it remains committed to these values. "Long live physical media," iam8bit said in its sign-off. iam8bit collaborates with numerous game companies like Blizzard, Remedy, Capcom, Annapurna, and Xbox on physical games and merch. The company also releases vinyl soundtracks for games like Arc Raiders and Persona. The company also funds and publishes games through its iam8bit Presents label. GameFly, the game-rental service, also expressed its disappointment and used the opportunity to promote an opportunity for certain ex-subscribers to renew for $2.50. "We are disappointed in the news today about the future of PlayStation video games," the company wrote. "GameFly is run by people who believe physical products still matter. It is a belief that has been at the core of our company since day one." https://twitter.com/GameFly/status/2072404434529710540?s=20 Another company, the independent game developer Aeternum Game Studios, reacted to Sony's announcement as well(https://x.com/aeternathegame/status/2072369342625259640), saying its commitment to physical editions of its games remains intact. "We pledge to work urgently to bring every game we create--and those already on the way--tangibly to your shelves before that fateful early 2028 deadline," the company said. It added: "The industry may try to change its course but we will not let go of your hand. Your shelves will keep being filled with stories." The Video Game History Foundation director Frank Cifaldi also lamented the "unfortunate news" with regard to consumer rights and other related areas, but noted that for professional preservationists, "this doesn't have as much of an impact as you might expect." https://bsky.app/profile/gamehistoryorg.bsky.social/post/3mpm6jzps6k2i PlayStation fans are also among those to express their disappointment with the news, with many expressing their support for physical media(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/playstation-disc-death-sends-the-internet-into-its-physical-media-defense-arc/). Sony continues to sell many, many millions of physical, disc-based games(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/playstations-disc-based-game-sales-have-dropped-dramatically-in-recent-years/), but the number it sells each year continues to drop, and that trend is expected to continue for Sony and other game companies(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/playstations-disc-based-game-sales-have-dropped-dramatically-in-recent-years/). Against this backdrop, Sony will no longer support disc-based games starting in January 2028, and the implication here is that the PS6 also won't work with disc-based games(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/why-sony-is-killing-disc-based-playstation-games-and-the-implications-for-ps6-and-beyond/). A recent report said Microsoft's new(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/next-gen-xbox-may-not-have-disc-drive-disc-to-digital-feature-coming-reports-say/) console, Project Helix, may not support discs(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/next-gen-xbox-may-not-have-disc-drive-disc-to-digital-feature-coming-reports-say/), either.
PlayStation's PSP Go was the first time Sony tried to go all-digital
17 years ago, Sony tried to go all digital with the PlayStation PSP Go. It didn't work out well for the company.
PlayStation Plus July 2026 free games lineup announced, including Modern Warfare 3
July 2026's PS Plus Essentials games have a release date and full lineup.
5 new PS5 games to play in July 2026
From Master Chief arriving on PlayStation to an Assassin's Creed favorite, July is stacked with exciting new PS5 games.
PlayStation Plus Free Games For July 2026 Revealed
This month's batch of free games for PlayStation Plus subscribers has been revealed. All PS Plus members will be able to claim a trio of freebies starting July 7--Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, For the King 2, and CrossCode. If you haven't claimed June's PlayStation Plus free games(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/playstation-plus-essential-free-games-for-june-2026/) yet, make sure to do so before next Tuesday. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 isn't exactly a high point(https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3-campaign-review-return-of-the-makarov/1900-6418152/) for the franchise, but at the very least, the 2023 game was a comfortably familiar experience. Set directly after the events of the previous Modern Warfare game, the threequel follows Captain Price and Task Force 141 as they take on ultranationalist war criminal Vladimir Makarov across the globe. Throw in the usual multiplayer and Zombies modes, and you've got a passable Call of Duty adventure to dig into. For the King 2 sees players battle against a tyrannical queen, either on their own or in co-op. Set in the land of Fahrul, the game is inspired by classic tabletop adventures and offers a digestible roguelite campaign, as well as the Dark Carnival that tests your group by seeing how many floors of a dungeon they can clear before they're overwhelmed by all the danger inside of it. Finally, CrossCode(https://www.gamespot.com/games/crosscode/) is a gem of an action-RPG. This fan-favorite game features a retro-inspired design, combining 16-bit-style graphics with smooth gameplay and a fusion of gameplay ideas. You get old-school action, meaty RPG buildcrafting, and fast-paced battles to enjoy. CrossCode developer Radical Fish also recently released its next game, Alabaster Dawn, in Steam Early Access, and it's worth checking out for even more nostalgic RPG goodness(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/this-new-action-rpg-feels-like-classic-zelda-with-better-combat/1100-6539836/). PlayStation Plus July 2026 Games !(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/PS-Plus-July-2026.jpg?w=1024) Available July 7 through August 3 - Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Cross-Gen Bundle (PS5, PS4) - For the King 2 (PS5, PS4) - CrossCode (PS5, PS4) The Best PS5 Games In 2026 !PS5-Games-2026(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/PS5-Games-2026-1.jpg?w=1024) !007-First-Light-main(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/007-First-Light-main.jpg?w=1024) !4214708-4211015-awiilaunch16-10-23038.png(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/original/1585/15855271/4214708-4211015-awiilaunch16-10-23038.png?w=1024) !4364052-4363135-astro-bot.jpg(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/original/1585/15855271/4364052-4363135-astro-bot.jpg?w=1024) !4214737-4173649-zqcemslhqzdusytfbssa2u.jpg(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/original/1585/15855271/4214737-4173649-zqcemslhqzdusytfbssa2u.jpg?w=1024) !4475825-blueprince2.jpg(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/original/1601/16018044/4475825-blueprince2.jpg?w=1024) !4646945-cairn.jpg(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/original/1601/16018044/4646945-cairn.jpg?w=1024) View Images(https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/best-ps5-games/2900-3832/)
GameStop Is Not Hurting After Sony Kills Discs, And There Is A Good Reason Why
After Sony announced that it would stop supporting physical discs starting in January 2028(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/sony-confirms-playstation-disc-production-will-end-in-2028/), many expected GameStop's stock price to take a hit. After all, the company is known to drive revenue from new and used game sales. However, GameStop is not hurting today. Actually, GameStop's share price is up. Why is that? Whereas GameStop's business was once mainly focused on selling game software, that's no longer the case. The store still sells new and used games, of course, but for GameStop's latest reporting period, software sales were actually the smallest part of the company's overall business. For the 13 weeks that ended May 2, 2026(https://investor.gamestop.com/news-releases/news-details/2026/GameStop-Discloses-First-Quarter-2026-Results/default.aspx), GameStop reported software revenue of $152.7 million, making up just 18.3% of GameStop's total revenue for the period. This includes new and pre-owned games, along with digital games. For the same period the year prior, software sales were $175.6 million, or 24% of GameStop's total revenue for the quarter. !(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/GME.webp) GameStop's business is much less focused on software these days. During the latest quarter, GameStop's biggest revenue-driver was collectibles, which amounted to $348.9 million, or 41.8% of total revenue. Next behind it was hardware and accessories, which came to $333.7 million, or 39.9% of revenue. Sony killing off physical, disc-based PlayStation games is not good news for GameStop, but it's also not the worst, and won't have an immediate impact in any event. After all, the changes do not go into effect until January 2028. Ahead of that, Rockstar's GTA 6 won't be sold on a disc, but you can still buy a physical copy at GameStop (with a code in the box). Another factor at play here is that GameStop's stock price got a jolt recently after CEO Ryan Cohen re-committed to his plan to buy eBay(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gamestop-ceo-came-up-with-plan-to-buy-ebay-on-the-toilet-wants-it-to-become-re-seller-of-digital-gaming-items/) and abandoned his $35 billion pay package incentive. PlayStation said it was abandoning physical discs because the majority of its users prefer digital(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/sony-confirms-playstation-disc-production-will-end-in-2028/). Given the announcement, experts believe the PS6 will be a digital console and won't launch until 2028 at the soonest(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/why-sony-is-killing-disc-based-playstation-games-and-the-implications-for-ps6-and-beyond/).
Sony is killing discs — and showing us why it’s a terrible idea
The future of video game preservation just took a major hit. This morning, Sony announced that, starting in January 2028, the company will no longer produce physical PlayStation discs, which means that from that moment on you can only purchase new PS5 games digitally. At the same time, Sony also announced that it's going to &8230;
Sony To End PlayStation Store Support On PS3 And Vita
After Sony's surprising announcement that it plans to end PlayStation disc production by 2028(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/sony-confirms-playstation-disc-production-will-end-in-2028/) in favor of a digital-only future for its consoles, some fine print has gotten lost in all the buzz: Sony is also ending support for the PlayStation Store on PS3 and PS Vita. "After nearly two decades of supporting the PS3 console generation, we wanted to let you know we will be closing the PlayStation Store on PS3, as well as on PS Vita," Sony senior director Sid Shuman shared in a blog post(https://blog.playstation.com/2026/07/01/an-update-on-playstation-store-for-ps3-and-ps-vita/) announcing the upcoming changes. Of course, this isn't nearly as surprising as Sony's pivot to digital-only games. Cutting off online store access for aging consoles is common--Nintendo cut off eShop access for the 3DS and Wii U(https://www.nintendo.com/au/support/articles/wii-u-and-nintendo-3ds-eshop-discontinuation/) in March 2023, for example--but Sony seems to be taking a softer approach. "PlayStation Store on PS3 will close in select markets starting this year, followed by global closures for PS3 and PS Vita next year," Shuman explained. "That means new content purchases will no longer be possible once the PlayStation Store closes on these devices. To ease the transition, players will still be able to download previously purchased content after the closing date for the foreseeable future." Per Shuman, the first markets on the chopping block are Mexico, Honduras, and Nicaragua, where the PlayStation Store on PS3 will close in August. (No word yet on how this will affect Vita users in these regions.) The PlayStation Store will also become inaccessible on PS3 consoles in "additional Latin American and Middle Eastern countries" sometime in "late 2026." Sony hasn't provided any specifics on which countries will be affected, or exactly when in 2026 this will take place. (And no word on Vita here, either.) "In all other countries, PlayStation Store on PS3 and PS Vita will close in July 2027," Shuman wrote suggesting that regardless of location, all PS3 and Vita users will lose access to the PlayStation Store by this time next year. "As we continue to expand the PlayStation experience on newer devices that most of our users are playing on today, we need to focus more resources on delivering the best gaming experiences on these platforms as we look ahead towards the future," Shuman said of the decision. But it looks like Sony's future doesn't have room for physical games(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/why-sony-is-killing-disc-based-playstation-games-and-the-implications-for-ps6-and-beyond/).
PlayStation Disc Death Sends The Internet Into Its Physical Media Defense Arc
Sony's announcement that it will end production(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/sony-confirms-playstation-disc-production-will-end-in-2028/) of all PlayStation game discs in 2028 hasn't gone over well with fans of physical media. While the move might be an obvious one to make for Sony--digital sales account for almost 80% of its game sales on PS5 currently--the news still feels like it came from out of nowhere. Coupled with Sony also confirming that it'll be closing the PS3 and PS Vita storefronts next month, today feels like a solid reminder that you don't own the game you just bought, merely a license to play it on that specific platform. This will have a major ripple effect across the industry, as physical retailers like GameStop have long made their bread and butter on physical sales, both new and secondhand. Then you have people who swap games with each other or who prefer to obtain a tangible copy of a game so that they can feel some sense of ownership over it, or the consumers who don't trust a company to keep the servers online forever--an idea that feels especially relevant in light of Sony delisting hundreds of digital movies from PlayStation user libraries last week. Naturally, people have a lot to say about the shift to digital, and how it feels like the latest addition to a seemingly never-ending cycle of bad news. https://twitter.com/GOGcom/status/2072255180083462536 https://twitter.com/shinobi602/status/2072313946824974394 https://twitter.com/GermanStrands/status/2072305061477167585 https://bsky.app/profile/krismoyse.bsky.social/post/3mplmcjhklc24 https://bsky.app/profile/dark1x.bsky.social/post/3mploe56kv22v https://bsky.app/profile/knoebel.bsky.social/post/3mplnutreok2t https://bsky.app/profile/vgtomo.bsky.social/post/3mplnf2it4s27 https://bsky.app/profile/skywardsiren.bsky.social/post/3mpliqegof22r https://bsky.app/profile/brianpshea.bsky.social/post/3mplnsdixa22n https://bsky.app/profile/jamesbjones.com/post/3mplnjpcdc22d https://bsky.app/profile/stephentotilo.bsky.social/post/3mpln6b4oh22q https://bsky.app/profile/matpiscatella.bsky.social/post/3mpljsrb3is2s https://bsky.app/profile/svegvari.bsky.social/post/3mpllwrl7e22u Lately, things feel glum in the gaming industry. Alongside Sony's future plans--which suggest the PS6 being a digital-only gaming console(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/why-sony-is-killing-disc-based-playstation-games-and-the-implications-for-ps6-and-beyond/)--Rockstar has also come under fire for its GTA 6 code-in-a-box(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gta-6-is-not-releasing-with-a-disc-and-that-just-makes-sense-in-2026/?thumbnailid=1803129) plans, Microsoft is reportedly planning(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/microsoft-could-cancel-marvels-blade-and-close-its-developer/) to close down several of its game studios, and an Xbox console is more expensive(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/microsoft-is-increasing-the-cost-of-xbox-consoles-again-starting-in-august/) than ever before. But hey! At least you can get some PC games for cheap(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-best-steam-summer-sale-2026-deals/) right now and use them to ignore the dismal state of things.
Goodbye Discs: Digital Game Sales Continue To Grow At PlayStation, As Well As Many Other Big Players
Sony has confirmed that it will no longer support physical discs(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/why-sony-is-killing-disc-based-playstation-games-and-the-implications-for-ps6-and-beyond/) for PlayStation games--for first- and third-party games--starting in January 2028. Many are wondering why, and it likely has to do with steep declines in physical software sales at the gaming giant. And it's not just Sony that's seeing major declines in physical, disc-based games--many other publishers are as well. It's part of a wider trend of people increasingly buying games digitally, for convenience and other reasons. Niko Partners analyst Daniel Ahmad has reminded people that while physical software is not a dead market--almost 70 million new disc-based PlayStation games were sold in 2025--but the shift toward digital keeps growing. "Having a retail presence is still important for many publishers, but it's clear that doesn't always need to a disc, and won't be going forward," he said.(https://x.com/ZhugeEX/status/2072310853051777502) "So as much as rising digital share is a market trend, the decision to stop physical disc production at this point is entirely a platform led decision that is designed to cut costs for Sony, eliminate resale / used markets, and drive 100% of revenue through the PlayStation Store," he added. !(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/PS658a386.jpg?w=1024) No more discs for PlayStation games. 80% digital at PlayStation When the PS4 launched, less than 10% of game sales were digital. For the latest fiscal year, it rose to about 80% of full-game sales being digital for PlayStation. 93% digital at Capcom Earlier this year, Japanese publisher Capcom--known for Resident Evil and Monster Hunter--reported that a whopping 93% of its game sales were digital.(https://www.capcom.co.jp/ir/english/data/pdf/explanation/2025/full/explanation2025full01.pdf) That compares to 75% just a few years prior. Capcom said it predicts that its percentage of digital sales will grow in next year. Electronic Arts is seeing a big shift, too E Electronic Arts, one of the biggest publishers of games in the world, is seeing increased share for digital game sales compared to physical. For EA's latest reporting period(https://ir.ea.com/press-releases/press-release-details/2026/Electronic-Arts-Reports-Q4-and-FY26-Results/default.aspx), full-game downloads amounted to $528 million, compared to $81 million for "packaged goods." Nintendo is selling more digital games For Nintendo's latest fiscal year, the company said(https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2026/260508e.pdf) digital game sales were up 25% year-over-year, "mainly due to an increase in sales of downloadable versions of packaged software." Digital sales grew by 1.1 points(https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2026/2605085e.pdf) to make up 54.6% of total software sales for the fiscal year. !(https://www.gamespot.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot-2026-07-01-at-11.51.00-AM.png) A peek at Nintendo's digital sales split. "Watershed moment" Sony's decision to kill physical discs on PlayStation is a "watershed moment"(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/why-sony-is-killing-disc-based-playstation-games-and-the-implications-for-ps6-and-beyond/) for the games industry, an analyst said. It also has implications for the PS6, with experts saying this news almost guarantees a PS6 launch in 2028 at the soonest(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/why-sony-is-killing-disc-based-playstation-games-and-the-implications-for-ps6-and-beyond/). The announcement from Sony about PlayStation discs came not long after Rockstar confirmed that GTA 6 will not be released on a disc(https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gta-6-is-not-releasing-with-a-disc-and-that-just-makes-sense-in-2026/). Sony killing off physical discs for PlayStation games might make business sense, but it's also a big bummer for many who wanted to keep buying physical games. It also has sparked game-preservation concerns. Sony's official explanation is that it's doing this "in response to shifting trends in consumer preference." "This is a natural direction for Sony Interactive Entertainment to adapt to consumer trends as the general preference for digital media significantly outpaces physical discs," the company said. "This transition will enable us to align more closely with how most of our community prefers to access and play games today."
The PlayStation Stores On PlayStation 3 And Vita Are Being Shut Down
!Game Informer News(https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/bodydefault/public/2026/07/01/35609ac6/playstation-store-logo.jpg.webp) In addition to announcing plans to end the production of physical discs(https://gameinformer.com/2026/07/01/playstation-will-cease-production-of-physical-discs-for-new-games-in-january-2028) for new PlayStation-released games in January 2028, Sony is also planning to shut down two digital storefronts. The PlayStation Store on PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita will be closed in select markets starting later this year and continuing into 2027. Once the PS3 and Vita stores are closed, owners of those platforms will no longer be able to make new digital purchases. Sony has provided the following timeline for when the PS3 and Vita stores will be closed: - Mexico, Honduras, Nicaragua – PlayStation Store on PS3 will close starting August 2026. - Additional Latin American and Middle Eastern countries – PlayStation Store on PS3 will close starting late 2026. - In all other countries, PlayStation Store on PS3 and PS Vita will close in July 2027. Sony writes in its PlayStation Blog post(https://blog.playstation.com/2026/07/01/an-update-on-playstation-store-for-ps3-and-ps-vita/), “We know this news may be disappointing to PS3 and PS Vita players who hold a special place in their hearts for this generation of gaming. PS3 and PS Vita represent an important era in our PlayStation history, so this was not an easy decision for us to make. As we continue to expand the PlayStation experience on newer devices that most of our users are playing on today, we need to focus more resources on delivering the best gaming experiences on these platforms as we look ahead towards the future.” The PlayStation 3 was the first platform to host the PlayStation Store, which first launched in 2006. This marks the end of a 20-year run of the storefront on that platform. It's also the first time Sony has closed a digital storefront for its legacy platforms, a move that Nintendo and Xbox have already executed for the Wii U/3DS(https://gameinformer.com/2022/02/16/nintendo-will-end-eshop-purchases-for-wii-u-and-3ds-next-year) and Xbox 360(https://gameinformer.com/2023/08/17/the-xbox-360-store-is-shutting-down) stores, respectively, in recent years. In other PlayStation news, Sony announced plans to remove hundreds of purchased movies and TV shows(https://gameinformer.com/2026/06/29/playstation-will-remove-hundreds-of-purchased-movies-and-tv-shows-from-user-libraries-in) by Studio Canal from their digital libraries due to expiring content licensing agreements.
The PlayStation Stores On PlayStation 3 And Vita Are Shutting Down
!Game Informer News(https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/bodydefault/public/2026/07/01/35609ac6/playstation-store-logo.jpg.webp) In addition to announcing plans to end the production of physical discs(https://gameinformer.com/2026/07/01/playstation-will-cease-production-of-physical-discs-for-new-games-in-january-2028) for new PlayStation-released games in January 2028, Sony is also planning to shut down two digital storefronts. The PlayStation Store on PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita will be closed in select markets starting later this year and continuing into 2027. Once the PS3 and Vita stores are closed, owners of those platforms will no longer be able to make new digital purchases. Sony has provided the following timeline for when the PS3 and Vita stores will be closed: - Mexico, Honduras, Nicaragua – PlayStation Store on PS3 will close starting August 2026. - Additional Latin American and Middle Eastern countries – PlayStation Store on PS3 will close starting late 2026. - In all other countries, PlayStation Store on PS3 and PS Vita will close in July 2027. Sony writes in its PlayStation Blog post(https://blog.playstation.com/2026/07/01/an-update-on-playstation-store-for-ps3-and-ps-vita/), “We know this news may be disappointing to PS3 and PS Vita players who hold a special place in their hearts for this generation of gaming. PS3 and PS Vita represent an important era in our PlayStation history, so this was not an easy decision for us to make. As we continue to expand the PlayStation experience on newer devices that most of our users are playing on today, we need to focus more resources on delivering the best gaming experiences on these platforms as we look ahead towards the future.” The PlayStation 3 was the first platform to host the PlayStation Store, which first launched in 2006. This marks the end of a 20-year run of the storefront on that platform. It's also the first time Sony has closed a digital storefront for its legacy platforms, a move Nintendo and Xbox have already executed for the Wii U/3DS(https://gameinformer.com/2022/02/16/nintendo-will-end-eshop-purchases-for-wii-u-and-3ds-next-year) and Xbox 360(https://gameinformer.com/2023/08/17/the-xbox-360-store-is-shutting-down) stores, respectively, in recent years. In other PlayStation news, Sony announced plans to remove hundreds of purchased movies and TV shows(https://gameinformer.com/2026/06/29/playstation-will-remove-hundreds-of-purchased-movies-and-tv-shows-from-user-libraries-in) by Studio Canal from their digital libraries due to expiring content licensing agreements.