Sony’s recent decision to end physical PlayStation game releases in January 2028 is drawing growing criticism, including antitrust complaints and potential legal challenges. The announcement has raised concerns among consumers, retailers, developers, and lawmakers about competition, pricing, digital ownership, and consumer choice in the PlayStation ecosystem.

Under Sony’s plan, no new PlayStation games will receive physical disc releases from 2028. The policy is expected to affect both first-party PlayStation and third-party titles, making digital distribution through the PlayStation Store the primary way to purchase new games on PlayStation consoles. In response, some retailers have committed to keep supporting physical media.

PlayStation is facing action from lawmakers

The strongest official response so far has come from Mexico, where lawmakers Iraís Reyes and Luis Donaldo Colosio are preparing to file a complaint with Mexico’s National Antitrust Commission. According to reports from LevelUp, they are asking regulators to investigate whether Sony Interactive Entertainment is engaging in anti-competitive practices by eliminating physical game distribution.

The lawmakers argue that ending physical game sales could leave PlayStation users with only one marketplace for purchasing new games: the PlayStation Store. They claim this could reduce consumer choice, eliminate price competition, and allow Sony to become the sole distributor of new games on its platform.

Over in Europe, Wccf reports that Dutch organization Stichting Massaschade & Consument is seeking over €400 million in damages, fighting what it refers to as the “Sony tax” – the 30% commission Sony takes on sales made through the PlayStation Store. The publication reached out to the Dutch non-profit to comment (statement below).

The end of physical discs removes the last place where a PlayStation game could still be bought and sold at a competitive price. No discs means no second-hand market and no alternative to the PlayStation Store, so from 2028, Sony alone decides what a game costs and even how long you are allowed to use it. That is exactly the harm our Fair PlayStation claim is about: a price can never be fair when the buyer is left with no ownership and no alternative.

Lucia Melcherts, chair of Stichting Massaschade & Consument, via Wccftech

Iraís Reyes stated that if discs disappear, PlayStation owners would no longer be able to choose between retailers, online stores, or physical copies when purchasing new games. Instead, consumers could be forced to buy games exclusively through Sony’s digital storefront, where Sony would control pricing and distribution.

The complaint also highlights the potential impact on retailers and the second-hand game market. Stores such as Liverpool, Sanborns, and GamePlanet, which currently sell physical PlayStation games in Mexico, would no longer compete to sell new titles. Lawmakers also noted that the used game market, including resale, lending, and trading of physical games, could largely disappear if new discs are no longer produced.

Another major concern involves digital ownership, as purchasing a digital game is not the same as owning a physical copy, because digital purchases are generally licenses subject to the platform holder’s terms and conditions. The lawmakers referenced previous incidents involving Sony, including the removal of purchased content for European users in 2022 and the revocation of licenses for more than 500 movies and TV shows, as examples of the risks associated with digital-only access.

About the Author

Abdul Haddi

Abdul is a tech writer and Editor for PC Guide, specializing in all things tech, gaming, and hardware.