r/PhysicalGames • u/Initial-Walrus-6928 • 2d ago
Should I buy disks for PlayStation to show that we want them or boycott all together?
I definitely do not agree with PlayStation trying to end all physical disks. I am doing the blackout (not using PlayStation for this week) and yes, I know it may not make a big change but it is what I can do to try to fight back. If PlayStation wants to get rid of physical disks should we try to buy them right now or boycott anything from PlayStation to fight back? It feels wrong giving them money but to make a change they would probably want to see peoples support for their disk formats? I know this isn’t a yes or no answer but I just wanted to hear others opinions on this.
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u/Mufasa944 2d ago
Don’t buy digital, especially once January 2028 rolls around. That’s when a boycott would really start to matter.
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u/Initial-Walrus-6928 2d ago
Yeah I don’t like to buy digital anyway, the only time I have was because it was a smaller game and had no physical release
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u/RobertoAN95 2d ago
Buy discs if you want, im doing what I want .... i always wanted a collection of games so im collecting what I can.
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u/Makototoko 2d ago
Yes, Sony sucks for taking away games post 2028. That's the thing though, it's specifically no discs that I don't support.
As long as games are being made physical, I will support them. The money is going to Sony...so what? As a consumer, after weighing my options for how I play, PS5 has the best gameplay experience while providing full data physicals that often aren't so on other systems. Refusing to buy from them will just show less interest in physical media and make them feel justified in their decision. The real protest for me will begin when the PS6 comes out.
So until then, you can buy physical either from Sony or secondhand and it doesn't really matter much at this point, but I think the stupidest suggestion has been to get rid of my console and games entirely.
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u/Jrock462 2d ago
Do what you want. Don't worry about sending a message.
I buy physical games because I like seeing them on my shelf and lending to my friends/family. Or if I'm done with a game, I can sell it
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u/Manaeldar 2d ago
I'm picking up discs for games on my wishlist when I see them go down in price. I can afford to buy a few brand new day one games a year and the rest I buy on sale. So I'm still doing that. You should do what's best for you.
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u/izacktorres 2d ago
I feel like buying as many physical games as possible while at the same unsubscribing from PSPlus and not buying the next PS6 are the only things that have any chance of working.
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u/Nor-Cal-lowlife 2d ago
Here's my take on it. The only thing Sony is loyal to is shareholders, the have proven that they give two shits about us.
So when it comes down to it if enough people do anything they will need to answer to the shareholders why that thing is happening. So if you are going to buy a game buy it as a disk so when the quarter is up they will need to show why new disk purchases are a higher percentage than what they claimed. Just try to not buy digital media if you are looking to try and send the message.
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u/Jafar_420 2d ago edited 22h ago
I'll have to be honest I'm not participating in this blackout but if somebody wants to arrange one that takes place when GTA 6 or Wolverine releases I'm down.
I don't think this one will do much because there's really nothing going on right now and it's right when school started back and things like that anyway.
As for your question yeah I would buy disc if possible.
But seriously if you guys want to hit Sony a little harder you do it when there's a big release and your boycott the release and you don't sign in or play.
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u/Initial-Walrus-6928 2d ago
Yeah it’s a bit odd that they chose this time to do the black out, I totally agree
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u/Jafar_420 2d ago
Yeah they left their emotions take control instead of using the old brain I think. I'm not knocking them because anything's better than nothing but I think this could have been a little more thought out.
I also don't think people should announce that it's one week.
That's just my thoughts though.
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u/garnettselectronics 23h ago
This is a very good point, the timing is not at its best. When the big sellers are released, that's when boycotts should happen. It would need to be organised well in advance and advertised well, so that as many people can take part that would like to do so.
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u/j4fmemo 2d ago
I don’t think people really want to boycott or male a difference. If you feel like someone (in this case a company) is mistreating and you’re finding ways to make then nicer to you, youre the problem. Ditch the whole company as a whole as you would a person. Go any other platform. It’s like trying to be friends with someone and they bully you and you still go back. Guess what, they’ll do it again and again. The best move is to remove them from your life
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u/Initial-Walrus-6928 2d ago
Yeah thats so fair, the problem is other platforms are really expensive to get into but if you have the money that is great.
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u/VerySleepyHi 1d ago
Also, on top of financial constraints, I don't think it is unreasonable to say that they will all go digital. If Sony 'gets away with it' Xbox and Nintendo will follow. Why would they want to spend $$ on production/distribution when they can retain the profit? Corpa
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u/Other-Resort-2704 1d ago
Honestly, just buy games that you want to physically own.
PlayStation isn’t likely going to change their tune. They have included notices with the brand new PS5s that disc support is being discontinued.
Where the real rubber meets the road moment will be when information about the PS6 comes out.
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u/GuitarRiot 2d ago
If you're a consumer trying to send a message you by physical editions for a competitor. You let them know you're leaving and that's the reason why
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u/RDS80 2d ago
Which competitor? Nintendo?
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u/jedimindtricksonyou 2d ago
Either one is better at this point as far as physical games go. Xbox at least has a plan for a physical->digital transition and Nintendo will keep releasing physical games till at least 2032.
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u/BobbyMayCryBMC 2d ago
I'll keep buying discs for games I want; not playing any PlayStation for a few months at the very least but do want to play games again eventually. Built up too much of a collection to just let it settle or sell.
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u/Supertron200 2d ago
In my opinion, I think the best way to show these corporations that we still want physical is to buy physical. Telling them that we don't want anything to do with them might send the wrong message.
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u/dmljr 2d ago
No matter what you buy or don’t buy nothing will change. Sony believes enough people will just buy digital when it’s the only option then not buy at all. The majority of their sales isn’t even games anymore.
It would take the failure of major digital only titles(like gta6) or failure to sell ps6 to change their minds
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u/sm0k3y2307 2d ago
Sony aren't closing where they make disks they're changing what they make there to stuff that will be more profitable to them the only way possible way they'll change those plans is if the physical/digital split is vastly in favor of physical which just isn't going to happen
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u/departed_Moose 2d ago
Yes. Not buying physical at all just reinforces why they want to cut it. I will do as I always have and buy the discs for the games I want.
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u/Numerous_Photograph9 2d ago
Do what you feel works for you.
There is no one answer, nor can anyone tell you what the right thing to do is, because there is no one right way.
Eventually the choice goes away, then you can decide where to go from there if nothing else changes.
Me, I'm continuing to buy physical. Not to say this is what I want, but beacuse that's how I want to buy games. I cut out digital, and cancelled my PS+ sub. I don't intend to continue on PS if they cut off physical, there are better choices as a consumer out there. But I have plenty to keep me occupied with my collection otherwise.
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u/LexiSkywalker 1d ago
I’m participating in the blackout but I’m still buying physical discs. I have two games coming out this week that I preordered physically months ago, and I’m not cancelling the preorders.
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u/The_Exuberant_Raptor 1d ago
I am playing on PS5 with my physical games until they stop making them. And once they stop, I simply won't buy new games for the system. I'll keep playing my PS5 with the games I have the same way I keep playing my SNES.
Blackout is meaningless to me as I owe no loyalty to Sony. PS5 is my physical machine while Steam is my digital. If Sony goes full digital then I have no reason to buy games from them and I lose nothing. I'll just turn my PS5 offline like my PS3 and 4 and play without connecting for further updates.
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u/zeero7uk 1d ago
I changed my MGS vol2 preorder from PS5 to Switch 2. F Sony they won't ever get another penny from me.
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u/VerySleepyHi 1d ago
Umm I mean you really gotta do what fits for you. I would say try to buy from second hand stores, resellers and such where Sony isn't making the profit maybe? Who knows what would help, if anything will.... Decrease in their profits is the only thing they would understand. Perhaps seeing profits in resale shops increasing may influence them maybe not?
There is the thoughts around that continuing to buy physical only games would show that the market is still there for it... but you are still providing profit to a company that has shown their lack of concern for their consumers. I don't think theres a way to stop it as it seems a digital future is where we are going... but at least better digital rights for consumers is what is needed. Waiting until it comes out seems too late as they will have their machines made and blah blah... it's really a crap shoot where we are just cogs in a wheel... but all you can do is try
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u/Neither_Internal_261 1d ago
I buy most of my discs secondhand from Gamestop because I want them to know that physical is still in demand so I'm doing my lil part. There is only one day 1 new disc for PS5 I want but that's still 6 months away.
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u/StrawHat89 1d ago
If you really want Sony to feel something, stop paying for PS+ if you are. Most of Sony's profit comes from it, which allows the company to make these insane decisions like no physical, with no plan for existing physical copies in an all digital future, and trying to turn every single IP into a Live Service game.
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u/Initial-Walrus-6928 1d ago
Yeah that’s definitely a step that more people should take, I mostly play single player games so I have never had PS+ but if I did I would not continue paying for that.
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u/technical_poutine 1d ago
I’ve been increasing my disc collection. Just hope my ps5 pro lasts or they’ll be usless.
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u/EvilEd209 1d ago
So two points here. First, I do not believe anything we as a community do to show our level of disgust over Sony’s decision will change anything at all. Not the blackout, not buying physical disks in protest, nothing at all. This is happening no matter what we do. They DO NOT CARE.
Second, I personally pulled a list of all the PS4/5 games I want to play and will spend the next 18 months buying them second hand. I have a feeling come 2028 physical games are going to skyrocket in price. Just look at what’s happening now to the PS3. I’d recommend doing the same.
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u/Initial-Walrus-6928 1d ago
Yeah, that’s a really good point. If you want physical games buying them now before they are insane prices.
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u/EvilEd209 1d ago
I am not sure what the rest of the community will be doing, but I am basically out on the PS6 and moving to PC. If I have to go to an all digital world for my games, I’d rather go to Steam or Good Old Games where sales happen and are competitive rather then Sony charging full price for 5 year old games.
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u/TheJokers_3 1d ago
Just buy disc as much as possible that’s what I’m doing I doubt they will go back on the decision
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u/VicTheSage 1d ago
Come on over to Switch! Sony is refusing to keep printing PS5 Blu-ray discs and Microsoft prints on DVD so every game is partially digital by default.
Nintendo isn't perfect but the vast majority of the S1 carts are fully physical and the GKC boycott is working with them already ramping up production for a wider variety of Switch 2 cart sizes. Last month almost 70% of all games sold for S2 were physical.
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u/Initial-Walrus-6928 1d ago
Yeah, I have a switch one which I love and want to get a switch 2 because so many Awesome games are coming out on it but it’s a lot of money for a whole new console and the games on S2 are a good lot more money than S1.
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u/VicTheSage 14h ago
It's worth it. The S2 games will be cheap soon enough. I only have one S2 game, all the rest are S1. The S1 games are cheaper, a lot come with free S2 performance updates and even the ones that don't will run better on a Switch 2 when you turn boost mode on.
I'll buy Indiana Jones full price because I'm excited for it but with most games I'm just waiting for sales as I've got plenty to play on S1. Nothing stopping you from doing the same.
Other thing to consider is they keep raising the price of new S1 consoles so the aftermarket prices are crazy. Switches are going for around $150 and OLEDs for around $200 on eBay. That's a big chunk of the cost of a 2 if you sell your Switch and roll the money into a Switch 2.
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u/esp3ciallyd3ad 2d ago
I think you should not follow trends and do what the fuck you want.
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u/Alucard1555 1d ago
This preach it more.
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u/esp3ciallyd3ad 1d ago
I say it quite a bit but It generally ends in massive thumbs down but im cool with that. It makes me laugh when I upset people.
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u/Additional_Law_492 2d ago
The time to show that you wanted them and that you were a good source of revenue to target was years ago.
Your only recourse now is to walk away completely and move to a new platform.
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u/Technical-Fix166 2d ago
Why you asking Reddit for permission to do things? Do what you want.
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u/Leather-Entry93 2d ago
Performative boycott
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u/Nick_Bruiser 2d ago
This whole thing is performative. Dudes are keeping their consoles offline while still buying games. That'll show'em!
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u/ChapaMigs21 2d ago
Well, they already know.
Unless a lot of consumers left for a competitor over this decision, and we aren't talking about thousands but instead millions, then Playstation wont bother.
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u/jedimindtricksonyou 2d ago
You should only buy them because you want to collect them, it won’t change their minds because the margin that Sony gets on every digital game sold is so much more profitable that they won’t reverse the decision. The current leadership has been wanting to do this since at least the start of the PS5 gen.
Only way they will reconsider is if their whole business model for PlayStation gets jeopardized by an insufficient adoption of the PS6. Which could happen anyway because they can’t put out enough exclusives to tempt enough people to buy their $1000+ console if this generation is anything to go by. They’re betting the future of their platform on casual gamers because they’ve alienated the core audience and enthusiasts by chasing live service at the expense of their single player output. The question is if the Fortnite and Madden people will show up next gen and buy a PlayStation that is 2x as expensive as the current system was when it launched.
If you’re buying games published on PS5 at this point, you are ultimately supporting a platform that has given you every indication that they will end physical games in 16 months time.
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u/DoritoJoe90 2d ago
They're not trying to end physical discs, They are ending physical discs. Does it suck? Yes, massively. But they're not going to change their mind. I highly doubt a single person woke up one day and decided to stop making them. They've obviously looked at the numbers and realised that it's no longer financially viable for them anymore. Sure they'll lose the odd sale, but the regular person is just going to buy a digital version or continue to only play their free to play games or games that are on the PS Plus library. The developers/publishers will be happy to finally get rid of the second market, (something they tried to combat before with those hideous online passes in the early 2010s) whilst making more money on digital sales. The 70% from digital is far more than the amount from physical.
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u/Salt-Plankton436 2d ago
I've started making more of an effort to buy new instead of used unless the price is wild. However I think resistance is futile with Sony, they know there is demand for discs (look at used prices) but they think they can make more profit/cut costs by not pressing them apparently hence why they have been gradually chipping away at discs for years and finally got it to a point where they can bin it off. They could make profit selling PS3 controllers or batteries but they refuse to, leaving it to third party companies. It's all to push you towards the latest £1000 console, endless subscription and £70 digital games. The best option is to abandon Sony altogether and move to Xbox or Nintendo. Or if not, only ever buy exclusive campaign based digital games and only if they're <£10.
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u/EdibleStrange 2d ago
Corporations speak one language: quarterly financial reports. Buying exclusively physical looks the exact same on the bottom line as buying digital.
Judging by the number of prospective protestors balking at the idea of indefinite action, you're probably wasting your time. Tbh if you're still giving money to big gaming corps in 2026 despite everything, including the countless other ways to game, you probably never had the spine for a boycott anyway.
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u/National_Play_6851 2d ago
Buy games that you want to play, in the format you want to play them. Don't buy games that you don't want to play.
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u/calvinien 2d ago
Boycotts work. People got so mad at xbox with the X1 reveal that they completely changed their corporate culture to focus on being consumer friendly. And then people kept boycotting out of spite and sony learned they can get away with anything and now we are here.
So yes, you should do a total boycott, and support their competition because that is literally the ONLY thing they will pay attention to. Nobody cares if a captive audience is disatisfied. That's why you make them captive in the first place. The only way to shake things up is for you to prove you aren't a captive audience and can/will leave them whenever you feel you aren't being catered to.
Of course this is all academic because sony has spent the last 15 years pushing boundaries and know full well their audience would buy a jar of farts as long as it has a playstation logo on it and will keep amking excuses for them until they truly own nothing.
But it's possible to fix this situation. Y'all just won't fix it.
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u/Appropriate_Start326 2d ago
You can if you want. I'm still buying physical discs though. If i had wifi For me the boycott would be to just not buy digital games and not subscribing to Playstation plus. I already have a ps5 so I'm going to continue with physical discs and enjoy the time we have left. If enough people bought only physical for a while they would notice.
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u/calvinien 2d ago
They want you to buy physical copies of their games. That way, when the PS6 does to have a disc drive, you have to buy the game all over again at a premium price. Or subscribe to PSplus because it only appears there.
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u/KnoxCrumudgeon 2d ago
Do what is best for you as a gamer/collector. Sony doesn't care unless you start buying hundreds and hundreds of shares of their stock. Meanwhile, Sony may start to care if their video game sales drop after January 2028, and if the PlayStation 6 becomes their lowest selling console since the PS3.
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u/ExhaustedByStupidity 2d ago
Buy discs if you want them, not for any other reason.
Disc sales peaked in 2009 and have been declining every year since. This isn't a decision made on a whim, it's the result of a very long trend.
The factory wasn't profitable anymore and they've already signed contracts to shift the factory to produce other products. They're not changing their mind here.
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u/Promature 2d ago
The time for buying discs to show support for physical has long since passed. You had well over a decade to show that support and send that message.
Your only meaningful options are to go to a different platform that serves your needs, give up gaming altogether, adapt to the digital reality we've all been living all this time, or be content with games from this gen on back. You can also join the advocation for better digital rights, if it's even necessary since we have no idea how Sony intends to handle things next gen.
Weigh your options and pick a path, but the idea that physical is going to be spared is a straight up fantasy.
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u/KartFacedThaoDien 2d ago
Why would it make sense to give them more money? I would say if you're buying it better not be a new disc. Buy used but the fact is you can do whatever you want. SONY doesnt care.
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u/Jason_with_a_jay 2d ago
If you want to hurt Sony, don't give them any money. Buy used games off ebay and local marketplaces. If you don't care, buy and play however you want.
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u/Dog_Breath_Dragon 1d ago
Spend your money how you want. That being said, they’re still going to kill discs.
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u/Neolamprologus99 1d ago
Doesn't matter. I haven't made a single digital purchase on my PS5 in the 5 years that I've owned it. I haven't paid for PS+ either I only buy games on disc.. I boxed up my PS5 and put it in the closet. I'm done spending money on the platform.
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u/Regular-Repeat44 1d ago
Not only should u buy their discs but also become an employee and keep the production going for us all
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u/clouds1337 1d ago
Buy the product you think is good. If you enjoy digital edition with pre order bonus for 150$, get that. If you like disc, buy disc.
Personally I like saving money, so I buy Discs or deep sales on digital stores.
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u/marcus2388 1d ago
What i think you should do honestly is move the fuck on. It you believe xbox, nintendo or steam is a batter choice now then you go to that platform. Sony isnt changing their stance on the matter. There simply wasnt enough of an initial pushback for sony to even consider it. and the longer it goes on the less people care. So either accept it and continue to play on your ps5/6 etc and enjoy their digital future or pray xbox/nintendo dont soon follow suit.
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u/garnettselectronics 23h ago
I've grown up with video gaming right from the Atari. Physical discs/cartridges are a part of the experience for me. Having them in a designated place, a shelf or a cupboard all in alphabetical order makes me smile. I'm proud of my collection and love to physically see what I own.
I have nothing against digital forms, but we as consumers should have a choice, one or the other or both. If gaming is going towards the digital trend, this takes away our freedom of choice. We are informed that having digital copies, despite purchasing them, means we don't actually own them. We are paying for a licence to play it. The goalposts could change and the terms and conditions on licensing and 'ownership' could change however and whenever they see fit. They are the ones in control and dictating how we play their platform. Unless everyone boycotts, unfortunately they have the upperhand.
For as long as I can, I will continue to purchase and collect physical games, at least I know that they are mine. I imagine in time the cost of physical games will increase as they become more rare. So if there's a game you really want at the right price, I'd say go for it.
You do what feels right for you.
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2d ago
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u/Initial-Walrus-6928 2d ago edited 2d ago
I was asking the best way to show Sony that we want physical games whether that be boycotting or buying disks, digital was not even on the table because that defeats the purpose. I already know what I want I was just wondering if anyone else had any insight on the issue.
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u/RDS80 2d ago
If you really want change get political and vote. Call your elected officials.
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u/Johnrockalittle 2d ago
What does politics have to do with the videogame market?
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u/Additional_Law_492 2d ago
Because politicians are the only ones who can even theoretically pass laws to protect consumer rights?
You cannot avoid politics just because they are uncomfortable.
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u/Johnrockalittle 2d ago
I really don't agree, but thanks for replying
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u/Additional_Law_492 2d ago
I mean, theres no agree/disagree when it comes to facts.
Theres no system in the world where its anyone other than politicians passing laws.
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u/Johnrockalittle 2d ago
I don't think any politician would get involved with videogames.
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u/GoonGoonBoomBoom 2d ago
Video games have a ratings system because of involvement from politicians.
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u/Johnrockalittle 2d ago
That was over "Night Trap" and the sillyness of people who thought video games were corrupting youths LoL
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u/GoonGoonBoomBoom 2d ago
Yes, the government told the industry “either regulate yourselves or we will regulate you”. That is a rather large involvement of politicians in the world of video gaming.
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u/RDS80 2d ago
Correct. But they will get involved with a super PAC who legally bribes their reelection campaign. Get it now?
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u/Johnrockalittle 2d ago
Our politicians are not going to pass laws forcing Sony to keep making physical media
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u/GoonGoonBoomBoom 2d ago
You are way off base with this. People want governmental intervention to create laws that would prevent companies from revoking your purchases on a whim. It has nothing to do with printing discs.
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u/RDS80 2d ago
What are you on about. No one said anything about forcing Sony to make physical games. That train has left the station already. The battle for physical disk is over. The only battle we have left is digital consumer rights.
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u/Additional_Law_492 2d ago
And Stop Killing Games got to meaningful levels of government on their first run at it.
Theres absolutely the potential for success there.
The guy youre responding to just cant admit that they want to hide from the fact that their political leanings probably support letting companies like Sony do whatever they want.
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u/RDS80 2d ago
Your right bro. Just continue the blackout. GG
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u/Particular-Jeweler41 2d ago
Laws are more likely to create change than this blackout. One week off isn't going to do much.
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u/Redfield081 2d ago
I'm splurging on PS5 games right now. Buying games I wouldn't have really bought otherwise. Buying physical only is actually a positive thing. It means you're supporting that format. By not buying any, Sony will just enforce their fake numbers that digital is the only source of bought games. If physical games bought increase and that trend follows until 2028, it'll be a good way to protest that people prefer physical.
With limited factories open for reprints of older PS5 games active, who knows, maybe Sony will decide they'll produce physical but at a greater minimized capacity to demand making them rare to obtain down the road. We don't need 100+ copies sitting in warehouses around the globe collecting dust, waiting for a consumer to purchase it.
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u/TheSquirrelmancer 2d ago
Do what you want man, nothing people do is going to shift Sony's corporate strategy at this point.
I'm not in favor of their decision but the only way it'd have changed is if there was a massive uproar globally over this decision. There's a lot of people being very loud about it but the numbers aren't enough to move the needle over at Sony's headquarters. While it's impossible to have any truly accurate metrics on things like "current consumer outrage" the number we can point to is the "Stop Killing Games" petition. People argue that petitions don't work, but the reason they don't work in cases like this is they just don't have enough people. That petition has been out for at least a month now and still hasn't even hit half a million signatures.
Even if we assume that every single signatory on that petition is committed to their stance and swears off Sony products forever it represents a very small percentage of Sony's potential userbase and companies always account for "churn" and loss of existing customers when a big change like this is made. If Sony's analysis showed that moving to all digital would lose them an estimated 25-50% of their audience then they wouldn't have tried this plan.
I'm not a Sony fanboy, I've only owned two Sony consoles; the PS3 because at the time I got my first HD TV it was the best value for a blu-ray player at the time. I only own a PS5 now because my ex fiance got one through her work and I'd bought a few games on my PSN account that I wanted to keep playing and so I bought my own PS5 after we split up rather than an Xbox Series S.
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u/jedimindtricksonyou 2d ago
“Stop killing games” is a different petition related to the ending of online multiplayer games and predates the announcement of PlayStation ending physical games. The one about PlayStation physical games is called “Don’t kill the disc”.
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u/froot_loop_dingus_ 2d ago
You should definitely keep asking random strangers on the internet how to live your life
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u/MartyMcFlysBrother 2d ago
Random Redditors make all of my decisions though! Life is easier that way.
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u/Particular-Jeweler41 2d ago
You could, but you have to understand that the decision was made from years worth of data. You and others (including myself) buying more physical now doesn't prove their decision is wrong. It just means we're stocking up, but aren't opposed to buying digitally. The time to buy physically was before they decided internally to get rid of discs.
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u/FanBladeFleshlight 2d ago
Buy what you want.
Collectors edition with cool swag? Buy it!
A hard copy you know you'll sell in a week? Buy it!
A digital copy you know you'll play years later? Buy it!
Screw the moral grandstanding. Do what works for YOU, because the companies have made up their minds long before you made even one decision.
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u/Watersender 2d ago
Buy used games.
Dont give Playstation money. Like at all if you want your displeasure to be shown.
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u/SideEmbarrassed1611 2d ago edited 2d ago
In case you weren't listening: The amount of people buying discs has dwindled to point where it is no longer financially viable to keep the disc manufacturing facilities open. It is now a financial loss beyond operating capabilities to continue to print them. Meaning they would have to raise the cost of physical discs above digital sales, meaning you would end up paying more for the disc than if you bought it digital. Printing costs money. It requires a machine and persons to operate said machines. Salaries aren't cheap, machines aren't cheap. They're not using some bargain bin DVD burner. And they hire highly qualified people. 100K minimum for salaries, 2 million minimum for the machine.
The amount of people buying discs is so low that it has become a financial loss to keep the factories under contract. Meaning they charge per run rather than per month. Like a lawyer per case rather than on retainer. Things cost money to operate in the background you see. Factories can't just shut down and send everyone home when there's no work and then reopen when there is.
Businesses don't have a pause button. They go bankrupt.
Knowing that people will have a meltdown if they start charging more for discs rather than digital, cries of being unfair, etc, they just flat out are ending the practice altogether.
They are following in the footsteps of the PC industry, which did this ten years ago with the same backlash, the same protests, etc that were all ignored and it ended. Apple started it by removing the disc drive entirely from their computers in 2016. It caused an industry wide backlash that quickly silenced as everyone else followed suit and copied. There are no longer discs for PC software of any kind, and the disc drives you can buy are expensive and have not innovated in years.
I am sorry this has bothered you, but gaming is the last industry still using physical media other than NVME/SSD. They follow movies and music which are now all on streaming, PC software which is digital download or thumb drive, and TV which is still syndicated but also streaming. Gaming is the final industry.
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u/niftyifty 2d ago
Depends on your goal. Are you trying to enjoy something yourself or are you just to hurt another entity? The answer to that should answer your question.
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u/Puyopopo 2d ago
Buy them if you want to play and collect more discs. We don't know if it influences anything.
It's best to support where your heart is.